James Earl Payne Jr.

James E. Payne was born July 13, 1939 and died on Monday, July 4, 2022. The son of Earl Payne and Christine Gee Payne, he was raised in Sulphur Springs, Texas. He came to Austin in 1957 to attend the University of Texas, and like so many others, he stayed in Austin.

He completed a B.A., a Masters in Social Work, and a Ph.D., all at UT. He pursued his professional career on the faculty of St. Edwards University.

Early in his career, he was active as a professional and as a volunteer in the field of mental retardation. He served as President of the Texas Association for Retarded Citizens and Vice-President of the National Association for Retarded Citizens. Later, he travelled many times to Mexico and Central America and was an advocate for immigrants.

He served as Mayor of the Village of San Leanna for almost 20 years.

He was honored by the Texas Association for Retarded Citizens, both as Professional of the Year and as Volunteer of the Year. The UT School of Social Work named him Distinguished Alumnus in 1933; the Texas Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers named him Social Worker of the Year; the Board of Alderman of the Village of San Leanna resolved to dedicate the Village community center to him; and he was named Emeritus by St. Edwards when he retired.

He is survived by a sister in Corpus Christi, nieces and nephews, and extended “adopted” family in Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala.

His frustration in dying was that he would never know how it all turned out.

He hated funerals, so there will be no funeral ceremony. Persons wishing to honor his memory may work to secure immigration reform, and may make contributions to El Buen Samaritano (512-439-0700 of https://www.elbuen.org)

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.wcfishsouth.com for the Payne family.