Living Legend Times

 

Arts advocates Gant and Fran Redmon have been partners in life, and dedicated volunteers together for more than 50 years. The two first met in the fourth grade in Illinois, and since, have collaborated in each other’s educational advancements, projects, careers, raising a son, Gant III, and promoting cultural and civic affairs in Alexandria.

"We have shared values and enjoy being a team. We can’t imagine not partnering with each other. It takes a lot of planning and work to have a partnership in life and in the community, but we expect to be on the go — that’s when the outreach is going on," said Fran Redmon. "When you find your niche and do something about it, you’ve found your place … We are positive people and are open to everything."

The couple has been married for 52 years and regularly open their home, Tall Oaks — which they consider to be the center of their lives together — for charitable, cultural and political fundraisers.

In partnership, the Redmons have chaired five Presidential inaugural balls, and numerous balls, galas and fundraisers for the Kennedy Center, the National Museum for Women in the Arts, Wolf Trap Associates, the Alexandria Symphony Orchestra and the Smithsonian Institution. They are patrons, members and advocates for more than three dozen local dance, music and theatrical organizations, museums, and schools, and community service organizers as diverse as the Alexandria Chapter of the American Red Cross, the Campagna Center, the Historic Alexandria Foundation, the Hospice of Northern Virginia, the Alexandria Lawyers Auxiliary, the Alexandria Chapter of the American Cancer Society, the Alexandria Industrial Development Authority, plus neighborhood associations and fraternal groups.

THEIR COMBINED resumes fill multiple pages. Gant Redmon is a managing partner with Redmon, Peyton and Braswell, LLP, and specializes in estate and trust planning and administration, and commercial real estate and business transactions. His business and organizational affiliations include several Alexandria Chamber of Commerce chairmanships, including the Alexandria 2000 and Beyond Task Force to develop a consensus future vision of Alexandria. He holds memberships on several bank boards of directors, bar association and fraternal organizations.

The Alexandria Chamber of Commerce recognized him as Alexandria’s Business Leader of the Year in 1995 and he has been recognized by the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Virginia Bar for his expertise in real estate law. Both of the Redmons were named the 2008 University of Illinois Alumni of the Year, the first time the distinction has ever been awarded to a married couple.

Fran Redmon has a bachelor of science degree in speech and dramatic education and is certified to teach both subjects. She continued her education in the arts through numerous board training seminars offered by the American Symphony Orchestra League and through the Greater Washington Cultural Alliance.

She is a trained soprano, "but these days, I just sing from the hymnal."

One of her most treasured accolades was presented to her in 2006 when the Alexandria Parks and Recreation Commission awarded her a citation "For Enhancing the Cultural Fabric of Alexandria through her Generosity and Dedicated Volunteer Service."