James A. (Jim) Payne, born May 14, 1939, in Los Angeles, Calif., passed away Sunday, January 20, 2013. He is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Annelies, daughters, Sabine (Joe) Mehrer of Lee's Summit, Mo., Christina (Mike) Herman, Edmond, Okla., and Marion (Russ) Newcomer, Parkville, Mo.; eight grandchildren, Sarah Mehrer, Leslie Herman, Jason (Lauren) Newcomer, Kenny Herman, Jenny (Troy) Wooten, Greg Herman, Nick Newcomer and Grant Newcomer. He is also survived by a sister, Carole Bean of Holts Summit, Mo., brothers, Don Payne, Blue Springs, Mo., and John Payne of Lone Jack, Mo. He was a retired public refrigerated warehousing and distribution operations and sales executive and later, a frozen food transportation broker, working in California and Arizona. He began his career at the Midcontinent underground frozen storage facility in Bonner Springs, Kan. Mr. Payne served in the US Army in Germany and was Past President of Kansas City South Rotary club. He was a Paul Harris Fellow. He was active in several Masonic Appendant organizations as Past Master of Swope Park Masonic lodge, served as lodge and building association secretary and was a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters, Royal Order of Scotland, Past High Priest of Harry D. Brown chapter 284 Royal Arch Masons, an officer in the Council of Cryptic Masons, Knight Templar, Knight of the Red Cross and Malta and was Past Commander of the El Zaribah Shrine Legion of Honor, Phoenix Arizona. He served the community as a two term elected Alderman for the city of Greenwood, Mo., and a term on the Jackson County, Mo., Water District 12 board of directors. Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 24, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Greenwood, Mo., followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. There will be a graveside Masonic service afterward at Mt. Orem cemetery in Redfield, Kan., at a later date. The family suggests in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Masonic Home of Missouri Outreach Program, Little Sisters of the Poor or the Hope House of Lee's Summit.

Published in Kansas City Star on January 22, 2013