James Gilbert Payment

James was born on January 9, 1942, to Edith and Arley Payment in Monroe, MI.  He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Central High School.  He graduated from Monroe High School.  

He was a proud veteran of the United States Air Force.  Jim worked for Toledo Scales and later was a union pipe fitter for the surrounding power plants.  He was also proud to help build the Alaskan Pipeline. 

Jim was known as the Puzzle Czar in Monroe where he formed a puzzle club at a local donut shop.  Building puzzles was one of his most fond hobbies and he was even featured in the Monroe newspaper.  In addition to puzzles, Jim enjoyed fishing, swimming, drawing and constructing small fishing village art piece from driftwood and lake rocks.  Many families and friends still these generous gifts from Jim.  He also loved the comics, particularly, Garfield, Calvin and Hobbs, and Pearls Before Swine.  He would always love to share either a sketch from these comics or even impart a witty line from his favorite character.  

He also loved animals, more specifically, cats.  In a room of people, even the grumpiest of cats would curl up on Jim just to get some love.  Jim was a devoted Catholic and was deeply committed to helping the less fortunate.  Wherever he lived, he made it a practice to help the poor and also give back to the parish in the form of sweat equity. 

He loved his family.  He had five brothers and one sister.  He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Gregg Schoppman, and his granddaughter Emma Grace Schoppman.  Emma brought him pure joy.

Friends are cordially invited to a Visitation with the family on Thursday, November, 13, 2025 from 4:00pm to 6:00pm at Loyless Funeral Homes, 5310 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639. 

Memorial Mass is Friday, November 14, 2025 at 10:30am at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O' Lakes, Florida 34639.

Interment is scheduled at 1:00pm following the Memorial Mass, Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, Florida  33513.