James R. Payne passed away on Friday, June 26, 2015 at his home in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma from complications of Multiple Myeloma. Born on December 28, 1935 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, he was the only child of James Vernon Payne and Thelma Doty Payne. Jim moved to Sapulpa, Oklahoma as a small child and graduated from Sapulpa High School in 1953. He attended Northeastern State University, and went on to graduate from The University of Oklahoma School of Pharmacy in 1965, a member of the school's first five year pharmacy class. Jim was President of Rho Chi Honor Society, a member of Phi Sigma Epsilon Fraternity, and recipient of the Rexall Mortar and Pestle Award for outstanding achievement in the College of Pharmacy.

He was employed by Getman Drug Company from 1965 to 1972, in Tulsa, which included his position as Manager of Palace Discount Drugs, Inc. In 1972 he purchased Plymouth Drug Company, Inc., in Sapulpa, which was established in 1929. He was Owner and President of Plymouth Drug from 1972 to 2002. In that year, he sold the store and joined the new University of Oklahoma Schusterman Center in Tulsa, as Clinical Professor of Pharmaceutics. He was a member of the faculty in the first year of that school's existence. During his span at the University of Oklahoma, Dr. Payne was nominated every year for the Teaching Excellence Award, and was its recipient in 2006. In addition, he was named Phi Delta Chi Teacher of the Year in 2006 and was again Teacher of the Year in 2010. Jim was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, 'Who's Who among American Teachers', The Mayflower Descendants, The Sons of the American Revolution, The American Association of Pharmacists, and The International Association of Compounding Pharmacists. In October of 1982 he married the former Christine Babcock. They celebrated 33 years of marriage on October 16, 2014. He was married previously to Martha Sue Vail. Jim will be remembered by his students as a caring and compassionate instructor. He was an avid O.U. fan, a world traveler, an enthusiastic genealogist, and a lover of animals. He was a gentle, kind, loving man, an exemplary husband and an adoring father. He will be greatly missed by the many people who loved him.

He is survived by his wife Christine, a daughter, Melanie Tate (Thomas), and son Terrence Payne (Denise). He leaves three grandchildren, Holly Payne, William Payne, and Taylor Tate and two beloved Maltese dogs, Nikki and Poppy Payne.

A viewing will be held all day Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at Moore's Southlawn, 9350 E. 51st, Tulsa, OK. Service will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, July 2, 2015 at St. John's Episcopal Church. In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to Animal Aide of Tulsa or St. Francis Hospice.

Moore's Southlawn 918-663-2233 share memories at www.moorefuneral.com