Gordon Dean Booth Jr.

Gordon Dean Booth, Jr. of Atlanta, Georgia passed away on October 16, 2013. He was born on June 25, 1939 to Lois Mildred Bray and Gordon Dean Booth, Sr. in Columbus, Georgia. Dean graduated from Columbus High School in 1957 and from Emory University in 1961. He was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity. He regarded his membership in the fraternity as pivotal in his life, and was recently awarded its highest honor, Significant Sig. Following graduation, Dean was instrumental in maintaining relationships that were formed between Sigma Chis by sponsoring get-togethers that kept friends close. Dean truly embodied the ideals of Sigma Chi his entire life: friendship, justice and learning. Dean received his J.D. (1964) and LL.M. (1973) degrees from Emory University School of Law where he was a member of the Law Review and winner of the Moot Court Competition. After graduation he began working for Hansell and Post. He ended his career as a partner at Miller and Martin. Dean’s law practice spanned 50 years and covered a breadth and range that is rare among lawyers. Clients large and small relied on him to solve their problems. In each instance he brought to bear a remarkable combination of intellect, expertise, experience in law and in life, imagination and common sense. What he loved most about practicing law was taking on clients where controversy reigned and there was no apparent solution. These cases allowed Dean to become an expert in yet another field. As a result many of his cases addressed evolving and unsettled areas of the law, including employment and labor law, antitrust and intellectual property. Dean’s decades of legal experience earned him a reputation as an expert in the transportation sector. He was a highly experienced international, litigation and tax attorney representing such clients as Delta Air Lines, Lockheed, British Airports, American Airlines and the Ford Motor Company. Dean handled cases throughout most of the United States as well as in The Hague and in the United Kingdom. Dean acted for British Airports (BAA, Ltd.), the world’s largest airport owner and operator, for many years and served on the board of BAA, USA, (part of British Airports), for over 20 years. He argued seven cases before the United States Supreme Court. In addition, he argued many cases before the US Court of Appeals, US District Courts and State Courts. He also had broad experience in employment matters handling class action suits involving tens of thousands of class members and nationwide antitrust issues. Dean was an accomplished global lecturer on a broad range of topics including international law, international trade arbitration, product liability, and problems in joint ventures. Dean was a Trustee for the Metropolitan Atlanta Crime Commission from 1977-1980 serving as Chairman from 1979-1980. He was a member of the Assembly of Arts and Sciences of Emory College from 1971-1986 serving as chairman in 1983. He was a member of the State Bar of Georgia as well as the International Bar Association. While a member of the International Bar, Dean served as Chairman of the Aeronautical Law Committee of the Business Law Section from 1971-1986. He also served on the Council for the IBA’s Business Law Section from 1974-1988. He served on the Board of Directors and as Vice President of Stallion Music, Inc. in Nashville. Most recently Dean served on the Advisory Board of Propeller Investments, LLC. Dean was a consummate gentleman, a great host, storyteller and organizer of fellowship and fun. Throughout his life he had an unmatched thirst for knowledge, as evidenced by the many books, magazines, newspapers, and articles that he read and shared with others. He led an active life enjoying fishing, hunting, boating, and flying small aircraft. He took a great interest in people and their families, and he always made time to sit and talk about serious and lighthearted matters. A meal with Dean was always entertaining. Dean’s sincere concern for his wife, daughters, sons-in law, grandchildren, business associates, friends, community, church, state and country set him above the pack as a highly successful professional who gave more to the world than he ever took. His humor, intellect, and perspective will be greatly missed. Dean is survived by his wife of 52 years, Katherine Campbell Booth (Katie), and their daughters Katherine Booth McCormick (Mark) of Atlanta, Abigail Booth Curvino (Bill) of Carrollton, Ga, Sarah Elizabeth Booth of Atlanta and Margaret Booth Celecia of Atlanta. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren who knew him as their beloved Poppie: Katherine Grace Williams, Thomas Rice Williams, III, Mary Katherine Curvino, Elizabeth Jean Curvino, William Robert Curvino Jr., Matthew Joseph Celecia, Abigail Ann Celecia (Lulu) and Katherine Iris Celecia (Katie). Dean was a member of The Church of the Apostles. He was also a member of the Capital City Club, serving on the board from 1994-1996, the Piedmont Driving Club, the University Club of New York, the Old War Horse Lawyers Club, The Advocates Club and the Lawyers Club of Atlanta, among others. A memorial service will be held at The Church of the Apostles on Monday November 11 at 11:00 am with a reception to follow. The family requests donations be made to either The Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30327 or Leading The Way, P.O. Box 20100, Atlanta, GA 30325.