James "Jim" W. Payne, Jr.

James “Jim” W. Payne, Jr., 66 of Terre Haute, passed away on Monday, June 23, 2025 in his residence. He was born in Terre Haute on October 15, 1958 to James W. Payne, Sr. and Sally Joan Richey Payne.

Jim was a veteran of the United States Army and member of Kriestenstein American Legion Post # 104. He was a member of the Wabash Valley Musicians Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2017, and played with various bands including “Highered Guns”, “Country 90 Proof”, and “Soulstricken”. He was a big fan of the Seattle Seahawks and enjoyed playing cards, especially the game “Hand and Foot”. Jim helped everyone he could and was the rock of the family, and never knew a stranger, and was an honorary member of the Roberts family in West Terre Haute.

Jim is survived by his wife Ruth Kisner Payne and three children; Angela Elkins (Josh), Christina Elkins, and Jim Bob Elkins (Andrea), his grandchildren; Jasmin Wills (John), Rylee Elkins, Wyatt Elkins, Clark Elkins, Brayden Elkins, Mykinzee Elkins, and Octavia Elkins, as well as two great grandchildren, Jade Wills and Alister Jones. He is also survived by his siblings; Timothy A. Payne (Cara), Rebecca Lynn Beard (David), Rich Payne (Marian), and Beth Orndorff (Larry), special friends John and Shera Cross, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at Fitzpatrick Funeral Home, 220 North 3rd St., West Terre Haute, IN on Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM. Visitation is scheduled for Thursday from 1:00 – 3:00 PM in the funeral home. Cremation will follow services. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be given to West Side Christian Church, 126 N. 8th St., West Terre Haute, IN 47885, in his memory.

Online condolences can be left at: www.fitzpatrick-funeralhome.com