G. Gilmer Minor III

1940 - 2023

MINOR, G. Gilmer III, died peacefully at home on May 4, 2023, surrounded by his family. Born in Richmond in 1940, he was the son of G. Gilmer Minor Jr. and Roddey Watkins Minor. He attended St. Christopher's School and was a 1963 graduate of VMI and a 1966 graduate of the Darden School at UVA.

Upon receiving his M.B.A., Gil began his lifelong career with Owens & Minor, where he retired as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in 2005 and continued as the non-executive Chairman of the Board of Directors until 2013 when he became Chairman Emeritus. Early in his career, Gil worked in sales and operations to learn the business and was integral in working under the guidance and leadership of his father to evolve and transform the company from a small regional healthcare supply business to a Fortune 300 national healthcare supply chain leader.

While O&M was the centerpiece of Gil's professional endeavors, he also gave generously of his time to various civic, educational, professional and charitable organizations. First and foremost was his love and dedication to the Virginia Military Institute, where he served as a member and president of both the Board of Visitors and the VMI Foundation. He remained very active in the alumni community throughout his life, promoting the merits of the VMI experience and the Three Legged Stool of Leadership, Education and Athletics. As a lifelong athlete, he was captain of the football and baseball teams both in high school and college and ultimately was inducted into the VMI Sports Hall of Fame in 2011 for both football and baseball.

Outside of VMI and O&M, Gil was a strong advocate for education and healthcare organizations. He served as Chair of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia as well as a member and Chair of the Virginia Business for Higher Education Council while also serving on the Virginia Healthcare Foundation Board and the Presidential Precinct Board. In 2010, he was appointed to serve on the Governor's Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation and Investment. While a model of humility, he was honored with numerous accolades and awards to include VMI's highest honor, The Distinguished Service Award from the VMI Foundation, induction into the Junior Achievement of Central Virginia's Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame, the Flame Bearer of Education Award from the United Negro College Fund, the B'nai B'rith National Healthcare Award, and he was recognized as Virginia Industrialist of the Year. In February of this year, Gil was commended by the Virginia State Senate and the Virginia House of Delegates as the Outstanding Virginian for 2023.

The values of loyalty and service that remained so prominent in Gil's professional endeavors applied even more so to his personal life. He was a faithful, generous and selfless friend, and a devoted and loving husband and father. Always humble, he treated everyone with respect and kindness and will be forever remembered for his gentle spirit.

He is survived by his wife, Charlotte Major Minor; daughter, Cameron Minor Cummings (Jack); son, G. Gilmer Minor IV; three grandchildren, Christopher Watkins Raquet, Adeline Margaret Raquet and Bryson Robert Raquet; his brother, Claiborne Watkins Minor; and his beloved Westie, Dubby.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 11, at St. James's Episcopal Church, 1205 W. Franklin St. A reception will follow the service at The Country Club of Virginia – Westhampton. Burial in Hollywood Cemetery will be private.

If you would like to make a contribution in his memory, please consider the V.M.I. Foundation, Moody Hall, 304 Letcher Ave., P.O. Box 932, Lexington, Va. 24450 or the New E3 School, 2901 Granby St., Norfolk, Va. 23504.