PAYNE TOMMY EVERETT

CPT Tommy Everett Payne was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 07/23/2012 at the age of 70.2
Maryville, TN
Date of Birth 05/16/1942
Served in the U.S. Navy
This information was provided by Sammie Williams

More detail on this person: Tommy Everett Payne,70, died July 23. Born May 16, 1942 in Maryville, TN to the late Everett and Hallie Payne of Knoxville, TN, Tom grew up in south Knoxville's Mount Olive area, was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Young High School in 1960. He was President of his high school senior class, captain of the football team and voted Mr. Young High School. He was awarded a Congressional appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, where he graduated in Electrical Engineering and received his commission as Ensign in 1966. After the Naval Academy, Tom graduated from flight school in Pensacola, Florida and completed two western Pacific deployment tours as a Search and Rescue helicopter pilot. He was awarded two Air Medals and the Vietnam Air Gallantry Medal for combat support rescues of downed pilots and wounded soldiers under enemy fire. Tom left Navy active duty in 1974 to join IBM Federal Systems in Owego, NY continuing his development and test work for the LAMPS anti-ship, anti-submarine surveillance and targeting helicopter program. He had been the Program Officer and Chief Test Pilot for that program. Tom continued his military service in the United States Naval Reserve in the intelligence field serving as Administrative Office, Executive Officer and Commanding Officer of the Naval Intelligence Command Security group 0166. Tom retired as a Navy Captain in 1999.

Tom completed his MBA at State University of New York, Binghamton, and continued his civilian career at IBM on classified programs at Rosslyn, VA, then at Lockheed Martin in Gaithersburg, becoming the Director of Engineering on major FAA upgrade programs. Tom retired from Lockheed in 2004 subsequently taking positions of Vice President at DISC, then VP Integration Technology and Automation Programs at UFA, then as Senior Director FAA SOS-7 Programs at ASRC in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. Tom's worked with several classmates implementing and leading the Veterans Individual Training Assistance Link (VITAL TM) at Bethesda Naval Hospital to help wounded, severely Ill and injured Marines, sailors and other service members prepare for transition to civilian life. Tom's enjoyed hunting and fishing.

Tom is survived by his wife, Donna Payne of Media, PA.; two sons, Jeff Payne of Browns Summit, NC and Kevin Payne of Aurora, CO; two daughters, Lisa Yates of Bell Buckle, TN and Kristi Miracle of Powell, TN; two brothers, Mike Payne of Seymour, TN and John Payne of Rockwall, TX; two sisters, Susie Payne and Pete Kerr, both of Knoxville, TN; nine grandchildren, Josh, Jeremy and Emily Yates, Tyler Wood, Forrester, Anna, Bradley and Brody Payne and Spencer Miracle; two step-children, Eric Knapp and Kelly Logan Services are to be held 10 a.m., Monday, August 27 at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Interment in the US Naval Academy Columbarium.

Tom requested that any donations in his name be made to the Navy Seal Foundation (www.navysealfoundation.org), or the USNA 50th Reunion Class Project. Information can be found at www.USNA.com Arrangements entrusted to James M. Brower Online condolences www.msbfh.com

Published in The Capital on July 29, 2012

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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