Lee William Gaddis

Lee was a proud graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. After starting his major in economics, one day during a pouring rainstorm, he darted into the Radio Television Film building at UT and became fascinated with what was going on. He decided they were having a lot more fun than he was having in economics classes so he changed his major, a decision that defined his career.

Lee’s first jobs were in television production, followed by an amazing career in radio where, as general manager of KRMH, he took the station to the number one FM spot in Texas. Later, he started and ran advertising agencies in Austin. However, the pinnacle of his career was when he joined his wife, Gay Gaddis’ agency, T3 as Chief Operating Officer. Lee’s fascination with technology helped to catapult the agency to national prominence as a leader in digital marketing and advertising.

Lee and Gay had a remarkable relationship. Everything they did together was successful, from T3 to owning and operating the Double Heart Ranch in Burnet, Texas. They raise Texas Longhorns, which harkened back to Lee’s family history of true cowboys and tough South Texas ranchers who helped preserve the breed when it once neared extinction.

Gay was the love of his life, and they had an uncanny way of understanding each other and helping each other accomplish their dreams. Lee and Gay admired and championed the employees of T3 and provided a culture based on ranch values that was unmatched.

Lee could do just about anything he set out to tackle, from woodworking to raising and training Percheron Draft Horses to what he called “landscaping with a bulldozer” at their ranch. His incredible sense of humor and storytelling always captivated guests at the ranch. He was a man of “the country,” as that is what he called the great outdoors.

He is survived by his wife, Gay Warren Gaddis and his children: Ben Davis Gaddis and his wife Morgan Ledwell Gaddis and their daughters Isabel (Ella) Gaddis and Olivia Gaddis; son Samuel Passmore Gaddis; and daughter Rebecca Wesley Gaddis; and Lee’s brothers Ben Harry Gaddis and John Lewis Gaddis.

Lee is preceded in death by his parents, Isabel Maltsberger Gaddis and Harry Passmore Gaddis, who left a legacy of philanthropy, kindness and a keen understanding of Texas history.

The family is very grateful for the wonderful care given to Lee by Westminster and Hospice Austin.

Please visit leegaddis.com to be notified about a celebration of life that is being planned.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s memory may be made to the Texas Trailblazers: Gay Gaddis Leadership Program at the University of Texas. Donations can be made online or by check payable to: University of Texas, Attn: Texas Trailblazers / Gay Gaddis Leadership Endowment, 1 University Station, Mail Stop A3000, Austin, TX 78712. Nonprofit tax EIN #74-6000203.