Faces of Hall County: John Payne and Maggie
Meet John Payne! John has owned Payne Plumbing for 18 years. He is a lifelong resident of Hall County and graduated from Gainesville High School class ‘84. John has three daughters Madison (19), Amelia (16), and Julia Anne (11). He says his favorite part of his job is,
“…being able to help people as well as interact and create relationships with people in the community.”
In his spare time he loves to play golf. John says his favorite hole at Chattahoochee Golf Course is No. 13.
“You can reach it (the 13th hole) in two (strokes) and possibly get an Eagle,” he said.
We want to thank John for recently sitting down with our intern Amelia Payne to tell us more about his life and love of Hall County.
Question: What inspired you or lead you to your current career?
Answer: “I grew up in the plumbing business. My dad and uncles all had plumbing companies and I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps. I enjoy being outside and working with my hands.”
Q: What is your favorite restaurant in Hall County, and what do you love there?
A: “The Collegiate is my favorite restaurant in Hall County. I always get a large cheeseburger with fries and a coke. ”
Q: How long have you lived or worked in Hall County?
A: “I was born in the old Hall County hospital and have been here ever since.”
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in Hall County?
A: “I would have to say my dad (Larry Payne). He taught me how to be a man, a provider, a businessman and always told me to treat everyone like I want to be treated.”
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? And why?
A: “I would travel to Aruba because it’s somewhere I have always wanted to visit.”
Q: What is your favorite movie or what is the first movie you remember seeing in a theater?
A: “The first movie I saw in theaters was ‘Jaws’ at the Royal Theater and my favorite movie is ‘Tin Cup.’”
Q: What advice would you give a crowd of people?
A: “To be thankful for what you have and be willing to help those who are less fortunate.”
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
A: “I would love to play at the Augusta National Golf course.”
Q: What is your favorite music/ three bands you would like to see (dead or alive)?
A: “I would love to see Lynyrd Skynyrd, Blake Shelton, and Darius Rucker.”
Q: What former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Hall County?
A: “A place that makes me nostalgic about Hall County is AAA Pizza”
Q: Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative: with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? Where in Hall County would you have lunch?
A: “I would have lunch with Jack Nicklaus. He is a true gentleman. I would take him to the Grill at the Chattahoochee Golf course.”
Q: What is your favorite thing about Hall County?
A: “My favorite thing about Hall County is the proximity to the lake, mountains, and Atlanta. I also like that it’s not too big so you can get to know a lot of people. ”
Q: Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years?
A: “Hopefully retired and enjoying life.”
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
A: “I am probably the only person in the U.S. to hold a plumbing and optician license at the same time.”
Q: What three words or phrases come to mind when you think or the word HOME?
A: “Home sweet home.”
The Faces of Hall County is a project to showcase the amazing people that live or work in our community. If you would like to nominate an interesting person to be featured please email babernathy@gonorton.com.
