John Randolph Paytes

John Randolph Paytes

John Randolph  "Sam" Paytes, 87, of Fredericksburg, passed away on December 13, 2023, as a result of Parkinson's Disease.

Born October 8, 1936, in Paytes, Spotsylvania County, he was the son of the late John Henry and Margaret Chewning Paytes. Sam was the second of eight children: Jackie, Tony, Nancy, Alice, Doris, Margaret, and Judy. He was also preceded in death by both brothers, Jackie, & Tony Paytes.

Sam was a firm believer in family, country and God. As a young man, he met the love of his life, Margery Wheeler of Paytes, Spotsylvania County and the two married on January 3, 1955. They celebrated 68 years of marriage this year. Sam joined the United States Air Force as a young man, and retired after 22 years, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He was also a Jumpmaster and was primarily stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB in Goldsboro, NC, but also served at various bases all over the world.

After an honorable discharge from the Air Force, Sam started a second career selling cars. He worked at several Fredericksburg dealerships, first as a car salesman and then in management. After many years in the car dealership industry, Sam retired from Purvis Ford, where he had worked for many years.

Sam was a member and long-time deacon of Fellowship Baptist Church, Post Oak, Spotsylvania County. He was also an avid sportsman throughout high school and his military career. He ultimately concentrated on his golf game, playing in numerous tournaments and was a longtime member at Fredericksburg Country Club. Sam was also a charter member of the Spotsylvania Fraternal Order of Eagles, and a member of the VFW and the Air Force Sergeants Association.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 68 years, Margery Wheeler Paytes; two daughters, Debra Paytes and Donna von Perbandt, and husband, Joe; five grandchildren: Jason and his wife, Christiane, Betsy and her partner, Erich, Zachery, Whitney and her husband, Eric, and MaryAlice; and three great-grandchildren, Emma, Kennedy and Camden, children of Whitney and Eric Pullin.  Survivors also include his five sisters, Nancy Quann & husband, Lawrence, Alice McWhirt, Doris Via, Margaret Skidmore, and Judy Johnson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews, and great and great-great nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 23, 2023, at Johnson Funeral Home, Locust Grove, with a funeral service to begin at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment will be private. Reverend Jim Stone will officiate the service.

The family would like to thank Heartland Hospice, especially Nurse Aimee Suwinski and Aide Timmy Snead, and John's caregivers, his sister, Margaret Skidmore, and Sandra Sims.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Building Fund at Fellowship Baptist Church, 13737 Post Oak Road, Spotsylvania, VA 22551. Online guestbook is available at johnsoncares.com.