Birth date: Sep 25, 1963 Death date: May 21, 2026
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of a beloved husband, father and Papa. Gary Payne leaves behind a lifetime of love, memories and devotion to the people who meant the most to him, his family. He was the kind of Read Obituary
To Gary:
Thank you for being a wonderful manager, a classic kind of guy, and a friend. You supported and encouraged me, and I will never forget it or you. Your goodness, light, and legacy will continue to shine brightly in our lives.
With Love,
Tavia R. Anderson
I had the privilege of working closely with Gary over the past 10 years as part of the leadership team. He was not only a colleague but also a mentor, and we shared many conversations about work, life, sports, and most importantly, family. Gary had a unique ability to find humor in any situation and was a natural storyteller who could always bring laughter to every meeting.
What made Gary a truly great leader was his genuine care for others—that was simply who he was at his core. Even during challenging times, he had a way of lifting spirits and making people smile.
Miss you G!
Gary Payne — a coworker, a leader, a friend, and for many of us, someone who helped shape not only our careers, but our lives.
I had the privilege of working alongside Gary at Tampa Electric, together as Engineering Technicians and later moved into leadership roles. Over the years, I came to know a man whose character spoke just as loudly as his work ethic.
Gary was the kind of person you could always count on. He showed up every day with dedication, integrity, and quiet strength. No matter the challenge in front of him, he approached it with professionalism, patience, and determination. He believed in doing things the right way, and he led by example.
But what made Gary truly special wasn’t just the work he did — it was the way he treated people. He carried kindness with him wherever he went. He listened. He encouraged. He respected others. Whether someone was new on the job or had years of experience, Gary made people feel valued.
Above all else, Gary was a devoted family man. He was a loving husband, a proud father, and a caring grandfather whose family brought him immense joy. You could see it whenever he spoke about them — his face would light up with pride and love. No matter how demanding work became, Gary never lost sight of what mattered most to him: the people he loved at home.
He leaves us with not only memories, but a legacy of hard work, faithfulness, kindness, and deep love for his family. That love was always evident in the way he lived his life. He was the kind of man who provided strength, support, and encouragement not only in the workplace, but within his family as well. His example of loyalty, compassion, and devotion will continue to live on through his wife, children, grandchildren, and everyone fortunate enough to know him.
In leadership, Gary earned respect not because he demanded it, but because he lived in a way that inspired it. People trusted him. They looked to him for guidance. And many of us became better professionals — and better people — simply because we had the opportunity to work beside him.
It’s difficult to say goodbye to someone who has been such a steady presence in our lives. The halls, offices, and job sites where we worked together will not feel the same without him. But even in our grief, we can be thankful for the time we had with Gary and for the example he leaves behind.
A life is measured not only by years, but by impact. And Gary’s impact was tremendous.
We will remember his dedication.
We will remember his kindness.
We will remember his faithfulness.
We will remember the love he had for his family.
And most of all, we will remember the man he was.
Gary, thank you for your friendship, your leadership, and the example you set for all of us.
You will be deeply missed, but never forgotten.
