Obituary of Dan Payne

Frank Dan Payne, 80, of Pinnacle Drive, Boone, died Saturday morning, March 17, 2012 at his home. Born August 28, 1931 in Watauga County, he was a son of Claude D. and Evie Greene Payne. Dan was a member of the Advent Christian Church in Boone. He was with IRC in Boone for 33 years, retiring as supervisor of Dept. 21. Mr. Payne served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict. The love of Dan's life was his family. His grandchildren held a special place in his heart. Grandpas have silver in their hair and gold in their hearts. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Joann Winebarger Payne; two daughters, Debra Watson and husband Jeff, of Apex, and Dena Denney and husband Kenney, of Sanford; four grandsons, Derek Gentry and wife, Katie, and Darin Gentry, all of Brevard, Josh Watson of Apex, and Nathan Denney and wife, Misty, of Cary; two granddaughters, Dara Gentry of Apex, and Nikki Denney of Sanford; two great-granddaughters, Sophia and Evie, both of Brevard; two brothers, Paul and Claude Payne, both of Boone; and two sisters, Mary Farmer, and husband, Art, of Lenoir and Grace Ray of Blowing Rock. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Wayne Payne, and two brothers and five sisters. Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon, March 19, 2012, at 1 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Pastor Gordon Noble. The family will receive friends Monday morning from 11 o'clock until 1 PM, prior to services, at Austin & Barnes. Burial with military honors provided by the American Legion Post 130 will follow at Mount Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens. The family respectfully requests no flowers, and suggests memorials to Medi Home Hospice, PO Box 1357, Newland, NC 28657, or the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center of Watauga Medical Center, PO Box 2570, Boone, NC 28607. Online condolences may be sent to the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com. Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Payne family.