Capt. Tyrone Payton, USN (Ret.)

Tyrone “Ty” Payton, of Manassas, VA,  was born in Shreveport, Louisiana, to the late Louise and Jessie Payton.  He departed this life peacefully, on August 9, 2024, after a two-year battle with cancer. Tyrone was educated in the Caddo Parrish public school system, graduating with honors from C.E. Byrd High School.  During his high school years, he took a summer aviation program and fell in love with the idea of becoming a commercial airline pilot. He subsequently graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a BS in Professional Aviation.

Tyrone’s dream was to fly as a captain for Delta Airlines, but that dream was interrupted by a call from a Navy recruiter asking him to give the U.S. Navy the opportunity to send him to Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, Florida.  Tyrone earned his wings of gold in 1985, becoming a U.S. P-3 Naval Aviator.  From that moment on, Tyrone became the consummate, dedicated Naval Officer. Tyrone served in various duty stations around the world during his nearly 30 years of service to his country. Some highlights include assuming command of VP-4, Kaneohe, HI, 2002-2003.  Under his command, VP-4 flew critical missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and won the Battle Efficiency Award. Tyrone rose to the rank of Captain and assumed Command of Patrol and Reconnaissance Wing-5, in Brunswick Maine.  Tyrone’s final Naval assignment was in The Office of The Chief of Naval Operations from 2008-2012.

Upon retirement from the Navy, Tyrone joined Northrop Grumman. Where he leveraged his unique knowledge, skills, and experience to strengthen customer engagement efforts.

Tyrone loved all genres of music, but jazz was his favorite. He loved to attend concerts at The Birchmere and The John F. Kennedy Center for The Performing Arts, where he was a member.  His other hobbies included attending Nationals baseball games with his sons, working out and grilling on his beloved charcoal grill.  Tyrone was also a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Tyrone was a devoted husband to his wife, Robin; and a devoted father to his sons, Evan and Justin.  He will be sorely missed by friends and family.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to SERVE, a program of Northern Virginia Family Service which helps the community receive the immediate assistance they may need such as food and shelter. http://nvfs.org.

The family will receive friends on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 11 am until 12 pm with funeral starting at 12 pm, at First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Manassas, 10313 South Grant Ave., Manassas, VA 20110. Rev. Jon Robinson will deliver the eulogy.

Funeral services will be live streamed at https://famechurch.com/live-stream/

Interment will be Tuesday, January 14, 2025, 3 PM, at Arlington National Cemetery.

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