Lt. Col. (Ret) USAF Charles Lebron Payne

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lena and Walter Payne and a brother, Douglas T. Payne.

A native of Chattanooga, TN, he served more than 29 years of military service in the United States Air Force.

He entered the United States Army Air Corps in December 1943 as an Aviation Cadet, receiving his wings and commission in May of 1944.

His first assignment was with the 12th Bomb Group in the China – Burma – India Theatre as a B-25 bomber pilot in operations with the Flying Tigers over the Burma Hump. He received several medals and commendations for outstanding service to his country including being awarded the Air Medal for Meritorious Achievement while participating in aerial flight.

Following the war, Col. Payne returned to civilian life working with his father, Walter Payne at the Walter Payne Plumbing & Heating Company on Ringgold Road in East Ridge, TN. During this time he also served in the Air Force Reserve out of Smyrna, TN.

He returned to active duty in 1953 and was assigned to Moody AFB, Georgia as an instructor pilot in the USAF Instrument Flying School.

Duty took him to Japan as a WB-50 weather reconnaissance command pilot remaining there until 1961 when he became a Squadron Commander of Tinker AFB, OK. In 1968 he was assigned as a Post Commander at Shemya AFB, Alaska.

In 1969 he returned to Robbins AFB and assumed duties as Administrative Officer of the 58th Military Airlift Squadron.

Col Payne retired from Active Duty in 1970 again to be affiliated with Walter Payne Company, retiring in 1981.

Charles’ greatest joys were his family, his love of flying and the honor he had serving his country.

He was a member of the American Legion Blair Post 95 and the Plumbers and Steamfitters Union Local 43.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Virginia Edwards Payne; daughter, Melody (Mike) Noel; sons, Charles (Sue) Payne, Jr. and David (Robin) Payne; grandchildren, Phillip Clay Noel, Jonathan Noel, Candice Payne Marleah Payne and two great-grandsons.

Graveside services will be held at 12:30 PM Monday, August 6, 2012 at Chattanooga National Cemetery with the Dr. Robby Gallaty officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM Sunday at the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 404 South Moore Road. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Edwards, Paul Edwards, Wayne Edwards, Mike Noel, Bob Gunther, Walter Roberts, Mike Nesttlehutt and Bill Faulkner, Sr.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contribution to the Wounded Warrior Project www.woundedwarriorproject.org or the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.