Patrick Ross Bynum Jr.

BYNUM, Patrick Ross, Jr., born September 13, 1944, to the late Patrick Ross Bynum Sr. and Helen Wright Bynum, passed away on September 12, 2022, a day before his 78th birthday. He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 years, Gayle; his children, Riley Shaia (Wayne), Molly Bynum, Ross Bynum (Cara), Scott Saunders (Laura) and Ben Saunders (Kim); eight grandchildren, Allison Shaia, Adam Shaia, Cabell Saunders, Nicholas Shaia, Cole Saunders, Patch Bynum, Asher Bynum and Noah Bynum; and two sisters, Frances Powell of Fairfax and Elizabeth (Betsy) Bynum of Syracuse. After growing up in Americus, Georgia, Pat attended Randolph-Macon College and, upon his graduation, served as a Captain in the Marine Corps in Vietnam. Afterwards, he received a law degree from University of Richmond's T. C. Williams School of Law which led to a career of 50 years in a profession he loved. In private practice for most of his career, he also served as Commonwealth's Attorney for Hanover County and worked with the Virginia Attorney General's Office and the VRS. In recent years he maintained a practice in criminal defense, mainly in the courts of Hanover County where he formed lifelong friendships with people who truly were his other family. Always talking about retiring "next year" he never wanted to leave the career he loved and the community of colleagues and devoted friends who were part of his daily life. As Papa to a blended family, he dearly loved all his children and grandchildren. Years were filled with family gatherings, themed Christmases, grandkids' games in every sport imaginable, and the enjoyment of their visits to his second home on the Eastern Shore where dear friendships were made over the years. Kayaking and leisurely bike rides were favorite pastimes there and surely he explored every backroad on that Chesapeake Bay peninsula. A gentle Southern manner made Pat an easy person to be around and he was blessed with many devoted friends in Richmond and Georgia and extended family in North Carolina. He always enjoyed time spent with his brother-in-law, Dick Hawks and his family and relished trips to the lake and beach with others. Dear neighbors who became like family were always there to brighten evenings on the deck at home in Richmond. Knowing he never wanted to be the center of attention, the family chose to gather privately to celebrate his life. If you would like to remember him, a donation to the Richmond SPCA would be a kind gesture. You might also retell one his stories about growing up in Georgia, as he was prone to do, or sing one of his off key original birthday songs to a loved one. Just ask one of the grandchildren for the tune.