In Memoriam: 1980s

Notices sorted by graduation date

James Dower “Jim” Comerford (Col ’81 CM) of Atlanta died April 21, 2024. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history and government at UVA, where he was a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity; a Student Council representative; and a guest pundit for student weekly The Declaration, where he famously predicted the 1980 Reagan landslide state-by-state. He counted professors Boots Mead and Irby Cauthen as mentors and Larry Sabato as a lifelong friend. After earning his law degree from the University of Georgia, he began his career with a small law firm in Marietta, Georgia, and went on to practice in some of the Southeast’s leading firms, specializing in government affairs. He left the practice to establish his own group of investment partnerships and business ventures. He maintained a lifelong connection to UVA and was an early supporter and long-serving board member of Sabato’s Center for Politics. He donated most of his prized collection of political memorabilia to the center, which will be naming its new library in his honor. He knew the full story behind every political pamphlet, button, sticker and poster. He also served on the Atlanta selection board for the Jefferson Scholars Foundation. Other passions included his Irish heritage and his home state of Georgia. Survivors include his wife of 36 years, Camilla; three children; and a granddaughter.

William T. Fansher (Col class of ’83) of Chesterfield, Virginia, died Aug. 7, 2023. He was the valedictorian of his 1972 Norfolk Catholic High School class. He earned his bachelor’s degree in German language and literature from UVA. A native of Norfolk, Virginia, he had a long and meaningful career working for Virginia National Bank. He maintained a lifelong love of the University and found great joy in being an intensely loyal and knowledgeable fan of all UVA men’s and women’s sports. He was known for his fierce loyalty to his friends and his love for his pets. Survivors include four siblings and several nieces and nephews.