John Tarver Payne, ‘Jak’

John Tarver Payne, “Jak,” passed away peacefully at Christus Spohn Shoreline in Corpus Christi early Wednesday morning, April 19, 2023.

 Jak was employed as the manager of the keyboard section at the Corpus Christi Guitar Center for the past fifteen years.  Frequently the top salesman, Jak had a uniquely friendly, outgoing and easy personality that made others feel comfortable, welcome, accepted and respected. He loved helping customers find the right instruments and supplies for their music. A keyboard player himself, he performed with several Corpus Christi area bands.

Music was Jak’s life, but fishing was his passion.  From the first little perch he pulled out of Lake Austin as a four year old and the five-pound bass he caught with his Uncle Roy at Hordes Creek Lake in Coleman,  when he was eight, he was hooked on fishing. He left a position at Musicmakers in Austin to be near the coast in Corpus Christi.  His Facebook posts featured everything from giant redfish and a 50-pound ling to dozens of fish he grilled for himself and friends. It was a rare day off work that didn’t find Jak casting a line into the surf at his favorite fishing spot, Mile Marker 95.

Born in Denton on Feb. 3, 1967, to John and Lois Payne, Jak grew up in West Austin.  He attended Mathews Elementary, O’Henry Junior High, and Austin High School. A trumpet and baritone player in the school bands, Jak had a wonderful ear for music.  He taught himself keyboards and was soon performing with blues and rock and roll bands in Austin.

Jak leaves behind a grieving girlfriend and soulmate, Celeste Trevino of Corpus Christi. His sons, Rufus John Payne of Austin and Locksley Tarver Payne of Corpus Christi, will sorely miss his love and support. His beautiful grandson, Koa, will miss fishing with his grandfather. Jak is survived by two sets of parents, John and Ann Payne of Austin and Lois and Bob Weiss of Hallettsville. He leaves a devoted sister and brother-in-law, Elisa and Tim Spradlin of Ft. Smith, Arkansas, along with his niece, Aspen.  Jak also leaves behind step-sisters and step-brothers Genevieve Elizabeth Litchfield of Houston, Marty Frannea of Port Aransas, and Bridget, Kirsten, Michael and  Jonathon Weiss of Marfa, Austin, and Fort Worth.  

The family plans to gather in May for a private celebration of Jak’s life.