Reo Varnado, the Founder of Portland’s Reo’s Ribs, Has Died | Eater Portland

"A resilient Portland barbecue spot, Reo’s Ribs was founded in 1999 by Reo Varnado (known as “Uncle Reo”) and Myra Girod and specialized in Mississippi-style barbecue and soul food — saucy baby-back ribs and barbecue chicken, as well as chitlins and oxtails. The restaurant moved several times around greater Portland (originally in Aloha, then on SW Macadam) and sat on NE Sandy; it survived two damaging fires, in 2017 and 2020, reopening repeatedly and preparing to open again in spring 2021. Varnado, who was also a singer in the Varnado Brothers and gospel group The Beyonds and appeared on Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party, died at 10:30 p.m. on January 14, a fact announced by his brother on Facebook and noted publicly by his nephew Snoop Dogg; the announcement did not mention a cause of death." - Brooke Jackson-Glidden