In recognition and thankfulness for all that VMI had done for him, Minor held several leadership positions at the Institute, including terms on the Keydet Club Board of Governors and the Foundation Board of Trustees, serving as president of the latter board from 1997–2000. In 2000, Virginia Governor James “Jim” Gilmore appointed Minor to the VMI Board of Visitors, where he would serve until 2008. From 2005–08, Minor served as president of the Board of Visitors.
Under his leadership, and that of Gen. J.H. Binford Peay III ’62, then-superintendent, construction began on Third Barracks and Marshall Hall, and a renovation of Kilbourne Hall took place as well. Athletics, too, received renewed attention with the renovation and renaming of Foster Stadium. In 2007, Minor was recognized for his exceptional generosity to VMI athletics with the renaming of the baseball stadium to honor himself and Elmon T. Gray ’46, former state senator and former president of the VMI Board of Visitors. That day—March 27, 2007—Gray stood at bat as Bill Paulette ’69 threw out the first pitch, and Minor acted as catcher.
Always seeking to create opportunities for cadets, Minor was also a scholarship donor whose generosity benefited many over the past decades.
In addition to his service at VMI, Minor was also heavily involved in supporting education on the statewide level, serving as chairman of the board of the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Virginia Business Higher Education Council. He also served as a member of Gov. Robert “Bob” McDonnell’s Commission on Higher Education Reform, Innovation, and Investment.
He was inducted into the Junior Achievement Greater Richmond Business Hall of Fame and received the United Negro College Fund’s Flame Bearer of Education Award, as well as the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Award of Excellence. In addition, he received the B’Nai B’rith National Healthcare Award and was recognized as the Virginia Industrialist of the Year, among many other honors.
Those who worked with Minor closely spoke of his dedication to all he undertook—and some admired his leadership over many decades.
Thomas “Tom” Slater ’66 first met Minor when Minor was captain of the football team, and Slater was a rat. Slater also played football, but because NCAA regulations didn’t allow freshmen to play varsity sports at the time, Slater played on the rat football team his first year at VMI.
On scrimmage days, the varsity team, which at the time was playing schools such as Virginia Tech, would play the rat team. “I always tell Gil the only reason he played so well and did so well against Virginia Tech was because we got him ready,” said Slater.
Neither knew it at the time, but Minor and Slater would go on to work together in many capacities—and by working alongside Minor, Slater would see his exceptional leadership continue both in business and the community. Slater, an attorney now practicing with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP, did antitrust legal work for Owens & Minor. “He truly was a wonderful human being who inspired and led other human beings to do good work,” said Slater of Minor.
Peay, who also knew Minor over the course of many decades and worked closely with him, likewise praised his dedication and devotion to the Institute and the Corps of Cadets.
“In 2005, Gil Minor ascended to the prestigious position of president of the VMI Board of Visitors and served for the next three years in the face of many challenges with distinction,” said Peay, now superintendent emeritus. “He provided wise counsel, steadiness under pressure, and the very best of leadership to the Institute and the greater VMI family. We have lost a caring graduate who passionately loved our school and worked tirelessly on its behalf. His was a remarkable and historic contribution.”
On Feb. 13, 2023, in a ceremony held in Richmond on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates, Minor was presented with the Outstanding Virginian Award. This award, considered to be the highest in the Commonwealth of Virginia, was established by the General Assembly to honor recipients whose distinguished contributions, outstanding achievements, and dedicated leadership serve as an inspiration to all civic-minded citizens.
“Throughout his remarkable life, this amazing man has led, contributed to, and inspired the citizens of our Commonwealth through his work and his presence,” said Betsy B. Carr, the Virginia delegate who presented Minor with the award.
Minor’s recognition was an acknowledgment of “everything he’d done, both in Richmond and at VMI,” noted John B. “Jay” Adams Jr. ’66, longtime chair of the Outstanding Virginian Committee, which selects recipients of the award. “A lot of [cadets] might not have been able to come to VMI if it weren’t for him. … He was just a very modest, wonderful person.”
With the bestowal of the Outstanding Virginia Award, Minor became the fourth VMI alumnus to receive this honor. U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd Jr., a member of the Class of 1935, was the first recipient of the Outstanding Virginian Award in 1983. The second and third alumni recipients, Bruce C. Gottwald ’54 and Floyd T. Gottwald Jr. ’43, were honored jointly in 2017. Other recipients have included several former Virginia governors, two former U.S. senators, and Hon. John O. Marsh Jr. (Hon), former chair of the VMI Board of Visitors and former secretary of the Army.
Minor is survived by his wife, Charlotte Major Minor; daughter, Cameron Minor Cummings (Jack); son, G. Gilmer Minor IV ’93; grandchildren, Christopher Watkins Raquet, Adeline Margaret Raquet, and Bryson Robert Raquet; and brother, Claiborne Watkins Minor ’67.
He was preceded in death by his father, who died Nov. 13, 1995.