Dan Allred Gattis

Dan Allred Gattis, born May 22, 1942, in La Grange, Texas, passed away surrounded by his family on the evening of October 30, 2025. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, educator, and public servant, Dan's life reflected a steadfast commitment to Texas agriculture, youth, education, faith, and community. Gifted with a rare ability to relate to and converse with people from all walks of life-whether students in the classroom, volunteers in the arena, world-renowned entertainers, or world leaders on the international stage-Dan's warmth, humility, and integrity left a lasting impression on everyone he met.

Dan was a fifth-generation Texan, proud of his deep family roots in the state and in Williamson County, Texas, and he celebrated that heritage as a member of the Sons of the Republic of Texas. He spent his early school years, both elementary and junior high, in the San Antonio area. During his fifth-grade year, however, he attended school in Jonah, Texas, while his mother briefly returned to Central Texas to care for his grandmother. He ultimately graduated from Midway High School in Waco, where he was active in FFA and livestock showing, played on the football and basketball teams, and, most importantly, met the love of his life, Karen Sue Busby. Together they attended Southwest Texas State University (now Texas State University), where Dan was a dean's list scholar, served as FFA chapter president, and was active in numerous campus organizations including the American Range Society and Circle K Club. He went on to earn a Master's degree in Agricultural Education, and later broadened his leadership and business expertise by completing the Wharton Executive MBA Program at the University of Pennsylvania. In recognition of his professional achievements and lifelong dedication to education and service, he was honored as a Distinguished Alumni of Texas State University.

Dan began his professional career in 1964 as an agricultural education teacher at Round Rock High School, inspiring countless young Texans to pursue futures in agriculture and beyond. In 1970, he joined the Texas Education Agency as a consultant in Vocational Agriculture and served as Executive Secretary of the Texas Young Farmers Association, where he helped expand and strengthen agricultural education across the state.

In 1976, Dan began what would become a defining chapter of his career with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR). He first served as executive assistant to the general manager, was promoted to assistant general manager in 1981, and in 1984 became only the third person in the Show's history to serve as general manager. During his tenure, the position was retitled as President and Chief Executive Officer, but its essential responsibilities remained. Over the course of his 30-year leadership, HLSR experienced unprecedented growth-expanding educational and scholarship programs, strengthening and organizing its vast volunteer base, and cementing its reputation as one of the premier livestock exhibitions and rodeo events in the world. He also played a pivotal role in guiding the organization through its stadium transition, participating in the groundbreaking for the new venue on the Astrodome complex and overseeing the move in 2003 from the Houston Astrodome to Reliant Stadium, along with expansion into the Reliant Center. During his tenure, HLSR expanded its educational impact dramatically-committing more than $5 million annually to scholarships and educational programs by the late 1990s, setting a record $7.7 million education commitment in 1999, and, by 2003, reaching nearly $100 million in cumulative scholarship and education support since 1957; that same year the Show awarded 305 four-year scholarships to Houston-area students. During this era, Dan also helped coordinate Houston's role in hosting the 1990 G7 Economic Summit, organizing a special July Rodeo for visiting world leaders on behalf of President George H. W. Bush. His influence extended internationally as well, serving as President of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions (IAFE), serving on the Board of Directors of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA), and earning induction into the IAFE Hall of Fame in 2004, the organization's highest honor. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to rodeo and the preservation of western heritage, he was inducted into the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame in 2010. He was a member of the Rancheros Visitadores of Santa Ynez, California, and longtime member of Beefmaster Breeders United and the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association; further reflecting his enduring ties to ranching and western tradition.

In 2006, Dan was elected Williamson County Judge, beginning a tenure that lasted from 2007 through 2018. As the county's chief executive, he guided one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States through a period of rapid expansion, overseeing major infrastructure, mobility, and public safety projects-including critical improvements to the I-35 and RM 620 corridors. However, his most special projects were advocating to create the Williamson County Fair & Rodeo and improve and expand the Williamson County Expo Center in order to better serve the youth of Williamson County and beyond.

Dan's life was also defined by his faith. He served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Friendswood, Texas, during his years in the Houston area, and later as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas, where he and his wife, Karen, have long been active members. His leadership in the church was an extension of his lifelong dedication to service, humility, and community.

Dan was preceded in death by his parents, Claude Moore Gattis, Jr. and Marie Sarazin Gattis and his beloved son, Brent Wesley Gattis. He is survived by his loving wife, Karen (Busby) Gattis; his son, Dan Moore Gattis of Georgetown, Texas, and wife, Shana; and his cherished grandchildren, Sterling Jack Gattis, Carson Marie Gattis, and Kenedy Sue Gattis, all of Georgetown, Texas.

Dan's life was measured not only in the positions he held but in the lives he touched-the students he taught, the youth whose educations were advanced through scholarships, the volunteers he inspired, the communities he led, and the congregations he served. His legacy endures as a model of leadership, integrity, and devotion to family, faith, and the future of Texas.

Services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Georgetown, Texas at 10:30am on Wednesday November 5th, 2025 followed by a reception at Dale's Essenhause in Walburg, Texas. A visitation will be held by the family at Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown, Texas on Tuesday, November 4th from 6 to 8pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Dan A. Gattis Memorial Scholarship Fund in honor of his lifelong dedication to youth and education. Checks may be mailed to Texas FFA Foundation ATTN: Dan Gattis Memorial Scholarship 614 East 12th Street Austin, Texas 78701

For those unable to attend, please select the link below to access the live stream provided by the family, in partnership with Ramsey Funeral Home. In Memory of Dan Gattis