John "Headlight" T. Payne III, 67, of Madisonville, KY, passed away on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at his home.

He was born on July 2, 1957, in Owensboro, KY, to the late Barbara Frizzell Payne and Copelyn Lefler Payne, Sr. He worked for forty-two years as a coal miner and retired from Hopkins County Coal. He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and riding motorcycles. His greatest joy was spending time with his family. John attended Third Baptist Church in Owensboro.

His survivors include his wife of forty-seven years, Nancy Turner Payne of Madisonville; daughter, Christy (Justin) Dillingham of Madisonville; son, John (Lori) Payne, IV of Greenville, KY; sister, Becky Burns of Owensboro; brothers, Steve (Deanna) Payne of Fort Myers, FL and Copelyn (Peggy) Payne, Jr. of Owensboro; grandchildren, Carly Tirey, Cleopatra Tirey, Houston Buchanan, LeighAnn (Johnathan) Rice, Tylor (Casey) Haire, Lawton Buchanan, Hunter Buchanan, and Talon Carender; and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in the chapel of Harris Funeral Home with Houston Buchanan giving his eulogy.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. until the service hour on Thursday at the funeral home.