James Brannon Reames

James Brannon Reames, 86, of Woodbridge, VA, passed away on June 14, 2026, at Inova Fairfax after several months of health challenges. James “Jim” B. Reames was born on February 4, 1940, in Johnston, South Carolina (“The Peach Capital of the World”) to the late Benjamin Lake and Eloise Pou Reames. He was a 1958 graduate of Johnston High School. Jim started his professional career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1958 at the age of 18, serving as a clerk in the Identification Division, Fingerprint Section. In 1960, he was reassigned to the Laboratory Division, Engineering Section. He attended night school at the University of Maryland for seven years, graduating in 1969 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. He then was selected for special agent training which was completed in 1969. He was assigned to the Albany, NY Field Office and then transferred to the Utica, NY Resident Agency. In 1970, he was reassigned to the Laboratory Division, Engineering Section. In 1973 he completed a Master of Science degree in Forensic Science at George Washington University. He led the development of the Nagra SNST and JBR stereo body recorders as well as several audio processing algorithms. In 1986, he was selected to head the FBI Research and Development Unit. After over 31 years of service, he retired in 1990 to serve as Director of Sales for an audio digital signal processing company. In 1993, he founded JBR Technology, Inc., to develop state-of-the-art electronic equipment for Law Enforcement and the Intelligence Communities. He provided audio/video/voice forensic examination services and expert witness testimony. JBR Technology was closed in 2019, though Jim continued to tinker with audio equipment until his passing. In summary, Jim had a professional career that spanned over six decades. In January 1961, Jim met the love of his life Barbara Greene in Washington, D.C. They wed on June 30, 1962, in Brownsville, PA, forming a union with a blending of southern and northern traditions. Jim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Barbara, and children Jimmy (Nanette) and Melissa (Scarlet), and his grandchildren Marinda, William, Ammie and Brannon. Jim was predeceased by his brothers Marion, Billy, Ray and his sister Sandra. He is survived by his sister Frances King of Easley, SC. Jim was a faithful member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church since 1995, continuing virtually once he encountered mobility challenges. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with a designation to the James Reames Memorial Fund. (www.poplc.org/main/give/)

Tributes

James Brannon Reames

June 14, 2026