David Herbert Reames Jr.

Dr. David “Bootie” Herbert Reames, Jr., 91, a lifelong resident of Petersburg, passed away Wednesday, November 07, 2012 at his residence. He was the son of the late David Herbert and Flossie Hitchcock Reames.

Dr. Reames was a graduate of Petersburg High school, Randolph Macon College, and the Medical College of Virginia, School of Dentistry. He was a proud Veteran, having served his country as a Captain in the U.S. Army Medical Corp in Korea. In 1946, Dr. Reames began his private practice in Petersburg. After his retirement in 1984, he joined the Dental Staff at Hiram Davis Medical Center at Central State Hospital and retired in 1995. As an active church man, he was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where he held many leadership positions, including Chairman of the Administrative Board and President of the United Methodist Men. For many years he taught a Ladies Bible Class and led Bible Studies until his health began to fail. He served on many committees in the Petersburg District, including District Lay Leader from 1959 to 1966. He was a former member of the Kiwanis Club of Petersburg and more recently a member, and past President, of the Historic Petersburg Foundation, past President of Petersburg Music Festival Inc., member of the Petersburg Housing Corporation, and also the United Methodist Home for Girls Foundation.

For more than 40 years, Dr. Reames was involved in the BSA on the local level with Troop 180, holding positions on the Crater District and Robert E. Lee Council, now known as the Heart of Virginia Council. Many Scouters today received their adult leadership training in the courses he taught for 25 years.

He is the recipient of the Silver Beaver Award, James A. West Award, and the religious awards on the local church, Conference, and National levels. The Council Eagle Class of 2000 was named in his honor.In 2009, he was awarded the Charles J. Dubois Sustaining Preservationist Award.

Dr. Reames was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy Harrell Reames. He is survived by his wife, Nona H. “Jerry” Reames; sons, David Herbert Reames, III and wife, Janet of Ruther Glen, VA, and Reid Brannoch Reames of Philadelphia, PA; grandson, Aaron Charles Reames of Ruther Glen; sister, Laura Reames Martin of Chester; step-children, Gerald R. Johnson (Pat) of Simpsonville, SC and Steven L. Johnson (Beverly) of Beaverdam, VA; step-grandchildren, Trisha J. Martin of Greer, SC, Rebecca L. Johnson and G. Corey Johnson of Simpsonville, SC, Daniel L. Johnson of Richmond, Suzanna J. Alsobrook of Atlanta, GA and Luke B. Johnson of Fredricksburg, VA; brothers-in-law, Dr. James A. Harrell of Elkin, NC, John Bullard of Montgomery, AL, William G. Hensley of Johnson City, TN; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 9th at the Petersburg Chapel of J. T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home & Cremation Service. A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. Saturday at Trinity United Methodist Church, 215 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, with The Reverend Dr. Gerald Miller and The Reverend Betsy Basehore officiating. Interment will follow at Blandford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Trinity UMC, 215 S. Sycamore Street, Petersburg, VA 23803, Boy Scouts of America Heart of Virginia Council, P.O. Box 6809, Richmond, VA 23230, or Southside Virginia Emergency Crew, P.O. Box 574, Petersburg, VA 23804. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .