James G Payne

James G. Payne of Kansas City passed away on February 14, 2025, at 80 years old. Jim was born on April 21, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas, to parents, James Robert and Arleen Payne. He grew up in Kansas City, Kansas, where he met his wife, Georgianne Payne. They moved to Florida shortly after their marriage. 

Jim retired from Orange County after almost 10 years of service, where he was a fire inspector. He went through fire college at 50 years old and made the Dean's list. He was very proud of this accomplishment and even got his only tattoo to commemorate it. In retirement, he worked for Marriott Hotels as a Fire Life Safety Inspector. This was a job he loved as it sent him all over North America. He was a proud Navy veteran, loved to travel and cook. He was famous for his flaming desserts. 

He is preceded in death by his parents, and his grandson, Robbie Nicholas Brown. He is survived by his sister, Nancy Bradbury, and brother-in-law, Don Bradbury, of Piper Kansas, also, his son, Anton Mihelic, and daughter, Alexandria (Sissy) Brown, Alyce Payne, and grandson, Anton James Mihelic, who all reside in Florida. 

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Wounded Warrior Project or National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.