James “Red Beard” Payne, Fannin County Public Works employee, is retiring after 43 years of service.
Trustworthy, one-of-a-kind and loyal are just a few words Public Works Director Zack Ratcliff used to describe Payne.
Ratcliff said of him, “He always meets and greets you with a smile. Everybody out here is his friend.
“He’s going to be hard to replace.”
Payne was hired in by then Commissioner Chairman Anna Lee Stepp, September 1, 1976. Since then, he has seen eight commissioners come through Fannin County.
Despite being with the department for so long, he said not much has changed over the years.
He has paved many roads in his time, he said, and his favorite part of the job is driving the trucks. When asked what kept him with the department for so long, he replied, “I just love this job.”
His plans for retirement include sitting back and fishing.
Ratcliff said Payne is always up for any task and he never has to ask Payne to do something twice.
Gesturing a thumbs up, Ratcliff said, “Every time you pull up to him that’s what you see.”
To which Payne replied, “I’m ready.”