Free-Wheeling, Carpentry & Computers

By Mark Deane | Photo courtesy of Gomer Pyles 

Mention “Middleburg,” and often the image that jumps to mind is one of grand old estates, foxhunts, and the trappings of life’s “finer things.” Mention that someone is moving to Middleburg, and one might envision the newcomer arriving in his late model sports car or SUV, accompanied by a luxury horse van transporting a string of expensive polo ponies, fox or show hunters. But, as is so often the case, stereotypes do not tell the whole story, because Middleburg is a vibrant community filled with diverse characters and lifestyles, bound together by a common love of the countryside and country life.

A great example is longtime Middleburg resident Gomer Pyles, owner of Able Body Computers. When Gomer arrived in Middleburg 30 years ago, he arrived not by luxury horsepower but by the power of his own two feet. He hiked into town with his worldly belongings in a backpack and in need of a job.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Gomer noted that “‘Gomer’ is not my real name. I got the name ‘Gomer’ when I changed middle schools. The ‘Andy Griffith Show’ was on the air, and the children at my new school just started calling me ‘Gomer’ because my last name is ‘Pyles.’ For some reason, the name sounded good to me; I thought it was a good fit, so I decided to keep it.”

Growing up on the free-spirited West Coast influenced Gomer’s “hippie” lifestyle and persona, including his casual attire and trademark bandana. “I have worn a bandana for as long as I can remember, but I must admit, I stopped for about four years when I was trying to establish my computer business here in the ‘80s” Gomer said.

Recounting his early days, Gomer recalled, “What I remember most about L.A. was the freedom I felt growing up. I started hitch-hiking to school at a very young age, and through that, I began to meet all kinds of people.” Gomer’s hitchhiking adventures quickly grew into longer journeys: he hitchiked across the country to West Virginia to visit his grandparents, a trip that took him about three days.

Wanderlust has always been in Gomer’s soul. Adventurous and resourceful, Gomer has explored the world not only through his hitchhiking, but also by backpacking and taking to the high seas. “I started backpacking in the early ‘70s. I learned carpentry so that I could fix things during long hikes to earn enough money to survive,” Gomer explained. “Sometimes, I would have to stop for a week or two to save enough money to move on, but most people were very nice and would allow me to camp on their property.” Gomer’s first trip cross-country on foot started in San Francisco and ended in Washington, DC. The journey actually began as a group hike of approximately 100 people that included his partner and their infant daughter. “The first day of the hike, we lost over 50 people,” Gomer recalled. “By the time we arrived in Washington, no one from our original group was with us.”

“I love it here because the locals accept me, and the small-town atmosphere of Middleburg makes it seem as if you know everybody.”
-Gomer Pyles

Gomer also learned sailing skills to earn his passage on voyages to the Caribbean. He loves tropical islands, and each year, takes a voyage to Caribbean islands. “I spend about a month, and I just love it there,” Gomer said. “I am bare-footed for the entire month. I walk to my favorite beach where there is literally no one around for miles, and I just yell at the top of my voice.”

So how does a “hippie” from L.A. end up in Middleburg horse country? On one of his cross-country treks, Gomer met a fellow hiker from the Middleburg area who offered him a job and a place to stay. “In 1981, I ended up in this area and I never left,” Gomer explained. “I felt the beauty and serenity here that I had experienced while backpacking and hitchhiking.”

When he first settled in the area, Gomer relied on his carpentry to earn a living. He enjoyed carpentry, but found himself fascinated by computers. It wasn’t long before that fascination led him to repair computers. “Computers are like a big jigsaw puzzle, and I really like to solve puzzles,” Gomer said. In 1987, Gomer launched his own computer business, Able Body Computers. In 1994, he purchased a building in The Plains, which remains home to both Gomer and his business. “Basically, I live and work in the same building since it has plenty of room to meet all of my needs,” Gomer explained.

While Gomer and I chatted for this interview in the Middleburg Common Grounds coffee shop, numerous locals and business owners stopped by our table to say hello, including Kim Hart and Jim Herbert. Kim Hart, known for his involvement with Middleburg’s Windy Hill Foundation, has been a client of Gomer’s since 1987 and wanted to ensure that my story stressed that Gomer is a special person. Jim Herbert, known for his work with the annual Middleburg Christmas parade, echoed those sentiments. He noted that, when Gomer works on a project for you, he does more than fix computers; he brings something special to his work that touches people’s spirits in a unique way. As Gomer, Jim and Kim chatted at our table, I reflected on the fact that the scene was a wonderful reflection of Middleburg life: people with diverse backgrounds and interests, drawn together in friendship by their common love of our area.

In 2008, Gomer suffered a stroke. His daughter, now grown from the infant who had backpacked with him cross-country so many years earlier, journeyed from New York to help him. “My daughter had moved to New York when she was 18 to experience the world,” Gomer related. “She had been away for about 10 years, so naturally it took a little adjusting for us both to get used to each other.” Gomer added, “I did not know how she would adapt to my lifestyle here in my building in the middle of what I called ‘paradise.’”

It’s obvious that Gomer has put down deep roots in Middleburg, and the free-spirited traveler calls this special area “home.” As Gomer explained, “I love it here because the locals accept me, and the small-town atmosphere of Middleburg makes it seem as if you know everybody.” I sensed that his life was satisfying and complete, particularly since his daughter has remained in Middleburg and is part of his unique life. ML