Virgil Freemont Stewart, known as Virgil F. Stewart or "Pappy" Stewart, was an American songwriter, singer, and bandleader born on August 5, 1907, and passed away on July 10, 1988. He is best known for writing the song "Just Out of Reach (Of My Two Open Arms)," which was originally recorded by his band, The Stewart Family, in 1951. The song became a hit a decade later when Solomon Burke's version charted in 1961, reaching #24 overall, #6 on the adult contemporary chart, and #7 on the R&B chart. Over the years, "Just Out of Reach" has been recorded by numerous artists and has charted multiple times, including a UK hit by Ken Dodd. In the 1940s, Stewart formed a family singing group with his daughters Bethel and Janet, his sister Baba, and a neighbor's daughter, Wilma.