David F. Payne Jr.

David Payne, Jr. passed away peacefully on August 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving family, following a long illness.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Helena Patricia Payne. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy and is survived by his father, David F. Payne, Sr.; his beloved wife, Amanda Payne; his brother, Randle “Randy” (Mary Ann) Payne; his sister, Karen (Daryl) Taylor; his sisters-in-law, Paula Pierre and Cindy (Brian) Seaberg; and numerous nieces and nephews.

As the son of a U.S. Navy Chief, David's early years were shaped by travel, living at various naval bases across California, Washington, Hawaii, and Florida. His family ultimately laid roots in Mobile, Alabama, following his father's retirement, and David went on to graduate from B.C. Rain High School in 1979.

Beyond his distinguished professional life, David was a man who embraced joy and community. He was a proud member of the Inca's Mardi Gras organization and a long-time member of the Elks Lodge, where he spent many fond years playing poker with his father and fellow members. An avid outdoorsman, David enjoyed hunting and was a member of the Big Rock Hunting Club. In his free time, he also loved watching movies, driving his sportscars, and, most importantly, spending cherished moments with his family and friends.

David dedicated his life to a highly successful and widely respected professional career, bringing over 30 years of expertise in Nondestructive Testing (NDT), Inspection, and Quality Assurance and Quality Control. His impressive journey began in Mobile at Thompson Engineering, where he spent over two decades as a Senior Inspection Specialist, performing certified testing methods and mentoring others in the field. With an entrepreneurial spirit, he later founded and operated his own business, Payne Technical Service, Inc., providing specialized mechanical integrity support and overseeing major capital projects for ten years. In 2005, David joined Chevron, where he became an invaluable asset. Over the next twenty-one years, he took on roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in his position as a Senior Inspector and Analyst.

A firm believer in lifelong learning, David achieved significant academic milestones later in his career. He earned an Associate of Applied Sciences in Non-Destructive Testing from Cowley College in 2014, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Project Management and a Master of Project Management (MPM) from Bellevue University, graduating with high honors and distinction. His technical mastery was matched by an elite portfolio of industry credentials. He was designated as a National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Commissioned Inspector, earned his American Welding Society Certified Welding Inspector (AWS-CWI) certification, and maintained numerous rigorous American Petroleum Institute (API) certifications, as well as an ASNT Level III certification in Radiography and Magnetic Particle Testing. He was also a proud leader in his field, having served two terms as the Local Chairman of the American Welding Society.

Service Details

Graveside services to honor and celebrate David's life will be held at Magnolia Cemetery on Monday, August 10 at 11:00 AM.