In Memory of Preston G. “Gil” Gaddis II

Preston G. “Gil” Gaddis II
September 20, 1938 – May 23, 2024

It is with a heavy heart that I pass along news about the passing of our long-time friend and colleague, Preston G. “Gil” Gaddis II. Gil joined the firm of Crowe & Dunlevy in 1965, after graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma and his Bachelor of Laws degree from OU in 1962. Before joining Crowe & Dunlevy, Gil also served in the Office of the Army Judge Advocate General in Washington D.C. from 1963 to 1965, and he attended Georgetown University where he received a Master of Laws degree in 1965.  

Gil built our Firm’s Aviation Practice Group from the ground up, becoming a nationally recognized expert on commercial aircraft financing. Leveraging Oklahoma City as the location where the Federal Aviation Administration’s record-keeping center is located at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center, Gil became the master of all aspects of aircraft transactions. A great story about Gil’s practice and how it came to be, can be found here – Financing Specialist Fills Friendly Skies Lawyer Arranges Aircraft Purchases (oklahoman.com) 

Gil only stepped away from his practice earlier this year when his health began to fail. During his 60 years at Crowe & Dunlevy, Gil developed a vibrant Practice Group, but more importantly, he mentored and befriended generations of lawyers, bankers, financial professionals and created business relationships and friendships that span the entire world. I consider it a privilege that I was able to be mentored by Gil and I am so thankful for the years I was able to work beside him. His generosity, laugh and sense of humor (not to mention his homemade ice cream) are so greatly missed and my life was richer because I knew him and had him as a friend and confidant. I am sure that I speak for everyone who knew Gil Gaddis when I say that the aircraft industry was forever changed by his wisdom, his work ethic and, most importantly, his integrity. Those who follow in his footsteps at Crowe & Dunlevy only hope to leave half the impression that Gil left on so many.

– J. Robert Kalsu

Services for Gil will be held on Sunday, June 9th, at 6:00 PM at St. Paul’s Cathedral (127 NW 7th St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102).