Austin Lee Payne Jr.

Austin Lee Payne, Jr, 75, passed away at Mary Washington Hospital on Tuesday, May 24, 2022. Son of the late Austin Lee Payne and Emma Leach Payne of Ferry Farm, Austin was born on February 21, 1947. The family home was one of the first built in Ferry Farm and he lived there for most of his life.

He graduated from James Monroe High School in June 1965 and pursed undergraduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University where he received an Associate of Science degree in Electrical-Electronics Technology in June 1969. He later attended Penn State University at Harrisburg, PA, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Design Engineering Technology in June 1973.

Austin had a decorated career of nearly 31 years as a civilian working for the U.S. Navy’s NSWC (Naval Surface Warfare Center) at Dahlgren from January 1973 thru December 2003. He was always on the leading edge of electronics equipment development and an advocate for implementation of new technologies.

Concurrently, Austin served as a Volunteer Fireman, first at the Hartwood Volunteer Fire Department and then for many years with the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Department Engine Co.1. He drove fire engines as an Engineer, rendered aid as an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) and performed duties as the Treasurer of the Falmouth Volunteer Firemen’s Association. His dedication was recognized in 1991 when he was declared to be a Life Member of the Falmouth Volunteer Firemen’s Association.

Austin shared a passion for HO railroading with his father and the two of them built a multi-level layout in the basement. They also spent many hours building and crashing both U-line and radio control airplanes. He was an accomplished rifleman, a NASCAR and Washington Football enthusiast and a wizard with radio repair and network management. He also ran Monitor Service Co. repairing radios, scanners, and Plecktron units.

Diagnosed with syringomyelia (a rare degenerative muscle disease that presented in Austin’s case with loss of fine motor function in his hands) at age 10, Austin was never defined by this condition and managed to care for himself with dignity and grace.

He is survived by his sister, Jennifer Payne Van Epps, and her husband, Robert, of Panama City, FL; a niece, Carol E. Finkenstadt, and her husband, Andrew, of O’Fallon, MO, along with their children: Edward, Virginia, Lydia, Alphonse, Mark and Rosalina; and a nephew, Christopher A. Van Epps of Melbourne, FL. He is also survived by his cousins, Susan Masters (Michael); Katheryn Payne (John Flahive); Douglas Payne (Donna); Fred Payne (Tina), Anne Allen (Ralph Cooley) and Gail Giese (Mikael). Special mention is needed for two families who were always there for him when help was needed: Rudy and Barbara Griffith and John and Colleen Pataky.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 2, 2022, at 6:00 P.M. at Mullins and Thompson Funeral Service, 1621 Emancipation Hwy, Fredericksburg, VA. A reception will follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Falmouth Volunteer Fire Association or to the charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to mullinsthompsomfredericksburg.com