June 23, 2025 Editor, The News-Gazette: If you live in Birdfield or ever visited the Virginia Horse Center or simply enjoy our local prosperity, a man known by almost every one as Otis has passed the local scene, from one paradise to another.
While Otis was a key player in getting Virginia’s equine showpiece out of a financial hole bigger than any horse, it was Birdfield that bought him that wonderful smile. A few weeks before his passing this past weekend, Otis drove around the community he founded and developed. He was pleased with what he saw and was looking forward to Birdfield’s annual picnic to be held again this fall.
Otis had many opportunities come his way. While “Long & Mead” could have been his crowning accomplishment, this man who actually enjoyed selling you a piece of property, had no regrets. He would stay with his roots, with those he knew best. And a VMI friend would still be a friend of a Hampton-Sidney gentleman. Otis did not know how to make enemies.
Rest well, dear friend. Remembering you will be easy. We will just look around. You made our estates real. DAVID REYNOLDS Rockbridge County
