Obituary of Jerry Bob Payne

Dr. Jerry B. Payne passed away September 25, 2018 in Fort Worth, Texas.Dr. Payne was born in Haskell, Texas in 1940 and graduated Texas A&M in 1964 and Purdue University in 1970. He was stationed at Walter Reed Medical Research Hospital in Washington, D.C. 1964-1966 and attained the rank of Captain. Dr. Payne has worked in the human and animal biologics industry since 1966, serving as senior microbiologist, director of scientific affairs and director of operations at various major biological companies. Dr. Payne successfully developed the first freeze-dried avian encephalomyelitis vaccine to be licensed in the United States. Dr. Payne returned to Texas in 1982 and founded American Animal Health with Dr. Hsi-tang (Nick) Tung. From two employees in 1983 to 50 today, American Animal Health Inc. (AAH) initially an intrastate biological company, continues to flourish as an interstate biological company. It specializes in Pasteurella bacterin toxoids, unique adjuvant systems, bovine mycoplasma products and autogenous bacterins for various species. A few years later, the autogenous bacterin program was introduced for veterinaries to combat chronic disease. AAH isolated causative organisms from infected herds and used these to manufacture the biologicals. Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica Inc. has marketed and sold AAH’s line of Pasteurella bacterin toxoid. American Animal Health was founded to capitalize on the vast experiences of its founders and to develop and market innovative products. Formation of AAH also assured continued employment in the consolidating veterinary biological industry.AAH formed AmPharmCo and entered into the companion-animal market in January 2001 with an ever-expanding line of pet nutritional gels, health aids, grooming aids, and products for professional groomers. AmPharmCo is an FDA registered facility whose mission is to become a major Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) contract manufacturer for both veterinary and human pharmaceuticals.Survivors: Dr. Payne is survived by his wife, Joan Banic Payne.