J. H. “Michael” Payne, III 

Joseph Howard Payne, III – better known as “Michael,” was born in Harlem, NY on August 10th, 1945 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. He was the first of two children born to Joseph Howard Payne, Jr. (Howie) of Baltimore, MD and Natalie Lucille Payne (née, King) of Manhattan, NY.

Mike was raised in the famous Dunbar Apartments in the heart of Harlem. He attended Resurrection for grade school before attending Fordham Preparatory School in the Bronx, NY where he was a scholar-athlete. Upon graduating in 1963, Mike attended Yale University where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts in English.

After graduating in 1967, Mike returned to New York where he earned a Master’s of Arts in English Literature at Columbia University. In 1969, Mike enlisted in the United States Navy, following in his father’s footsteps. He attended Naval Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island and became a Lieutenant in the Navy in 1970. During that time, he served in the Sixth Fleet on the USS Little Rock (CL-92) and USS Springfield (CLG-7). He was honorably discharged in 1972. 

After completing military service, Mike worked in the newsroom at CBS as an editorial assistant supporting journalistic greats like Walter Conkite and Dan Rather. He was admitted to NYU Law School, attended on the GI Bill and graduated in 1978, becoming the first of the third generation of attorneys in the Payne family. Soon after, he accepted a role at the United States Department of Justice and relocated to Washington, DC.

In 1978, he married childhood friend, Susan Henriques, and relocated to Washington, DC together. Their daughter, Sydney, was born in 1987. 

During his tenure in the District, Mike held several roles at the US Department of Justice. He started his career in the International Crime Division, working on landmark cases in racketeering and money laundering. He later transitioned into the Asset Forfeiture Division where he specialized in White Collar Crime. He became affectionately known as, “The Forfeiture Ace,” after writing a rap about his work, which was later integrated in the Asset Forfeiture Division’s training for new employees. He retired from the federal government in 2006. 

Mike enjoyed spending time in Sag Harbor, NY where he found peace fishing, reading and smoking his pipe. He was the “Official Ambassador'' of the beach and  fiercely dedicated to preserving the Little Northwest Creek Tidal Wetland. He loved chess, gardening and good jazz. He was a brilliant storyteller and a quick wit. Mike was a Hausa member and a mentor; a good brother, kind uncle, top-tier godfather and loving son, father and husband.   

Michael passed away on July 27th, 2023 in Washington, DC in the company of his wife and daughter. Preceded in death by his parents, Michael leaves behind his adoring wife of 45 years, Susan; daughter, Sydney; sister, Anne Marie Payne Fugett, Esq.; nephew, Joseph Russell Fugett (Selah); cousin, Thymaya Payne; great nieces, Paige and Natalie Fugett; godsons, Samson Marshall (Ashley) and  A. Raleigh Marshall (Nicole); and grand-godchildren, Aria and Ryan Marshall – and a host of family and friends. 

A private memorial service was held in Sag Harbor, NY in August (2023). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the A Better Chance Foundation at https://abetterchance.org/give/donate/ .