Calhoun County’s Alexandria High School is remembering Tres Payne as a teacher and coach who “had a fire about him when it came to teaching.”
Payne died of COVID-19 Tuesday. He was 53. A member of Alexandria’s 1985 4A state championship football team and a graduate, Payne had worked at his alma mater for 16 years, serving as a football position coach and wrestling coach.
He was a member of Leatherwood Baptist Church and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and being outdoors.
A Facebook post on the high school’s account called Payne a “brilliant” educator, “the epitome of everything Alexandria.”
“He loved his community, his family, and his job,” the tribute reads. “He loved history and treated it as if it were more valuable than any other subject in education.”
Principal Jason Deason said Payne had been in the hospital since August. The last time they communicated by text message, Payne seemed more concerned about a situation in Deason’s family than himself, he said. All he would say of his own condition was, “I’ve been better,” Deason said.
It’s been a tough year for the Calhoun County community, Deason said. A 2020 graduate, Layton Ellison, 19, was one of two lineman electrocuted while working on storm restoration Aug. 31 in western Jefferson County. Alexandria was also one of the towns hit during the March outbreak of tornados. Payne’s death is yet another blow. Despite the fact that classes are currently virtual, a crisis counseling team was at the school Tuesday.
“My kids really enjoyed his class,” remembered Craig Reynolds. “His life made a difference and he will be missed.”
Stacey Heathcock said of Payne, “My kids loved him in class and my boys loved him on the field.”
Payne was a “big ole teddy bear,” Deason said, a man who could get “straight to the point” and loved his students.
“He worked to make sure kids didn’t fall between the cracks,” he said.
Payne is survived by his wife Dori, his daughter, Savannah and son Skyler. Donations can be made in Payne’s memory to Noble Bank and Trust.
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