He was a member of St. Aloysius Catholic Church and retired from Bell South. He was an Air Force Veteran. Tom was an avid golfer and UK fan but could also be seen in red. He enjoyed hanging out at the Marathon Station with his friends and watching his grandchildren playing various sports, choir concerts and dance recitals.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Jewell Thomas and Mary Rose Payne; sister Bette Bowman.
Survivors include his wife of 37 years, Carol Good Payne; daughter, D Whitney Hopkins (Anthony), grandchildren, Addison, Hunter, Brooklynn and Charlee; siblings, Eddie Payne (Glenda), Timmy Payne (Susan), Claudette Carpenter (Bob) and Barbara Kelly; several extended family members and "Framily".
A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 11 AM on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, at St. Aloysius Catholic Church with burial to follow in the church cemetery. Visitation from 4-8 PM on Tuesday at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home.
In Lieu of flowers donations to his grandchildren's education fund.