John Howard Payne, 89, husband of Joy Payne died on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020 at Thomson Hood Veteran Center. He was born on May 17, 1931 in Rockcastle County, KY to the late Howard and Mary Payne. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force and was in sales for many years. John loved to tell numerous stories about his colorful family and of his childhood in Rockcastle County, often while picking his banjo. He also loved spending time with his beloved Lhasa Apsos Freeway and Princess. He is survived by his wife Joy Payne; five daughters, Kathleen (Jeff) Cox, Lancaster, KY, Mary Helen (Greg) Slone, Georgetown, KY, Stephanie Crawford, Costa Rica, Tracy (Ken) Dawkins, Richmond, KY and Laurel Flores, Ridgecrest, CA, one son, Dr. Johnny (Juana) Payne, Los Angeles, CA; five grandchildren, Courtney Priddy, Drew Slone, Sonja Barlow, Clayton Payne and Dakota Arnold; one great-grandchild, Sawyer Barlow; one brother, Jimmy (Millie) Payne, Battle Creek, MI; one sister, Lucy LeBonte, Lexington, KY. A graveside service will be 9am Monday, November 16, 2020 at Camp Nelson National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Friends of the Lexington Senior Citizen's Center, 195 LIfe Lane, Lexington. KY.