Obituaries

Francis Gordon Reams Jr. of Yorktown, VA, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025. Born on April 11, 1944, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Francis and Dorothy Reams, Gordon was one of two children. He was preceded in death by his sister, Gayle Andrus. He was married for 33 years to the love of his life, June Reams, until her death in 2016. Gordon was the proud father of three daughters, Stacey Bueter, Carrie Whalen (James), and Holly Munn. He was the beloved G-Daddy to his six granddaughters, Rachel and Lauren (Stacey), Sarah, Caroline, and Katherine (Carrie), and Isla (Holly). He was well known for proudly bragging about his girls, always eager to share their many achievements with anyone he met.

Known for his quick wit, sharp mind, and boundless curiosity, Gordon was an engineer and businessman who founded his own computer company, Reams Computer Company, in 1976. A lover of American history—especially The Civil War and Virginia’s rich past—he was a passionate storyteller who used his extensive knowledge to bring to life not only historic events, but also the many adventures and experiences of his own life. A lifelong learner and avid reader, he was always eager to share his wisdom—whether by volunteering at the Yorktown Battlefields or offering guidance to his granddaughters on everything from driving fast cars (‘Drive it like you stole it’) to the importance of anchovies on pizza. He was also famous for his bedtime stories, which were peppered with silly names and always included a ‘Pransome Hince’ — a detail that never failed to elicit giggles and mock admonitions from his granddaughters.

His love of animals extended beyond his loyal sidekick of many years— Toby the miniature Schnauzer—to the neighborhood squirrels, birds and occasional raccoons that he delighted in treating to industrial sized bags of peanuts. A spirited adventurer, including multiple road rallies with his buddies across the continent and a race car driver, he approached life with energy, purpose, and a thirst for knowledge. He enjoyed traveling throughout his retirement years with his longtime friends from Northside, but his favorite trip was the annual family adventure to Sanibel, Florida. What began as a getaway for him and June soon became a cherished tradition, growing to include all of his girls and their families—searching for seashells, eating ice cream, and playing games together. Of all he did in his life, he will be remembered as a devoted son, brother, father, husband, and G-Daddy who was dedicated to his family, championing their dreams, offering endless encouragement, wise counsel, and love.

A private graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gordon’s name to the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter, an organization he supported for many years.