Gordon Chandler Keys

1933 - 2023

Gordon Chandler Keys, "Gordie", a highly respected and widely recognized farmer, cattleman and owner of Thoroughbred racehorses, died at his home Beaver Dam Farm in Middleburg, VA on Saturday, July 8, surrounded by his family. He was 89.

He was born August 8, 1933, in Laytonsville, MD to Henrietta Howard Riggs and Gordon Chandler Keys, who died prior to Gordie's birth. Henrietta remarried to Robert Hallowell Chichester of Olney, MD, who served as a loving stepfather.

Gordie graduated from Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, MD in 1951 and was drafted into the U.S. Army. He was stationed for two years at Fort Rucker, AL where he made lifelong connections with men who remained some of his closest friends.

Following his military service, Gordie attended the University of Maryland College Park where he joined Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and earned a degree in agriculture. While at Maryland, he met Janice Oxley of Baltimore, the Alpha Tau Omega Sweetheart. They married in 1959 and made their home in Olney where they raised their four children, Chandler, Chrissy, Susan and Anne.

Gordie and his stepfather farmed their ancestral home Oatland, until 1969 when Robert passed away. Gordie took over management of the farm, where he raised row crops, sod, hay, hogs, registered Angus cattle and Thoroughbred horses. Gordie and Janice later divorced, and he relocated to Middleburg with his cows and horses. He married Mary Kay "Robin" Garwood Sterling of Middleburg in 1998.

Gordie and Robin operated Beaver Dam Farm for 25 years. He was recognized regionally and nationally for his contributions to the Angus industry and was known as one of the best cattlemen in the area. He also was a familiar face on the Maryland and Virginia steeplechase circuit, hosting epic tailgating festivities featuring his trademark country ham and biscuits. A lifelong foxhunter, Gordie rode with the Redland Hunt and was a founding member of the Goshen Hunt. He knew the thrill of foxhunting in Ireland and later rode with The Piedmont Hunt, whose kennels are located adjacent to Beaver Dam and became an integral part of his daily life.

Gordie bred and owned many winning racehorses over the years, including I'm a Hokie, Tom Hagen and the stakes winning Grateful Bred, a home bred who raced successfully while Gordie was in his late 80s.

He was frequently spotted pulling a livestock trailer through the Washington region that read "Gordon C. Keys, Registered Angus Cattle and Fast Horses" on his way to a bull sale or a fox hunt. Gordie was also spotted for over 40 years at the yearling sales in Saratoga, NY.

Gordie was known for being a wonderful storyteller and was an avid fan of University of Maryland athletics as well as Washington's professional football, basketball and baseball franchises. He was an affable, sensible, determined, dynamic, and ever likeable character and true friend.

He lived by the words of William Butler Yeats: "There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't met yet."

He was a mentor to several young men whom he employed at Oatland and Beaver Dam, teaching them the ways of farming and helping them form into good citizens of the world.

He was known for his performances nationally and internationally of "Bye-Bye Blackbird" and "(Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey," singing unrehearsed at wedding receptions, aboard a cruise ship lounge in the middle of the Indian Ocean, often accompanied by a full orchestra or spontaneously a cappella when prompted.

Mr. Keys was a founding member of the Olney Civic Association, chairman of the Agricultural Committee for Montgomery County, a founding member of the Agricultural Farm Park, a member of the Montgomery Farmers Club for 50 years, and a board member of the Maryland Beef Producers Association. He also served as a board member of the Montgomery County Fair, a board member of the Piedmont Hunt Board of Governors, Past President of the Maryland Angus Association and a 4H Leader. He was a long-standing member of Trinity Church, Upperville VA and the Middleburg Tennis Club.

Gordie and Robin established the Keys Scholarship Fund at the American Angus Association, providing educational financial assistance annually to aspiring students from Virginia and Maryland.

Gordie is survived by his wife, Robin, his children, G. Chandler Keys III (Chelsie) of Shady Side, MD, Mary Christopher "Chrissy" Heard (Keith) of Columbus, MS, Susan Romans (Eddie Ridgway) of Olney, Anne Biebel (Richard) of West River, MD, and his stepson, David Michael Sterling of Middleburg. He is also survived by his former spouse, Janice Keys of Annapolis, MD, eight grandchildren, two nephews and two nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, stepfather, his beloved Uncle, Samuel Riggs, IV, and sister Mary Cook "Cookie" Stewart Brusnighan.

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Saturday, July 22 at Trinity Church, Upperville. Memorial contributions in his name should be made to the Keys Scholarship Fund at the American Angus Association, 3201 Frederick Avenue, Saint Joseph, MO 64506-2997. Arrangements by Royston of Middleburg.

Gordon Chandler Keys