Press Release

Issued by International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA).

May 20, 2019

Johnny Gantt, 83, one of the founders of the National Aircraft Resale Association (NARA) now known as the International Aircraft Dealers Association (IADA), has passed away. He also founded Gantt Aviation in Georgetown, Texas.

"Johnny's life will forever be synonymous with aviation and NARA, and for those of us lucky enough to know Johnny well, he was simply so much more," said John Foster III, founder of OgaraJets. "A trusted and loyal friend with more stories of life than anyone can recount; a devoted husband, dad and grandfather; and a teacher, coach and mentor to so many in and around Georgetown, Texas. Johnny's legacy will be marked by inspiration to others, by showing that anything is possible. Please keep the Gantt family in your thoughts and prayers."

In 1991, Johnny Gantt co-founded NARA, which was recently re-branded as the International Aircraft Dealers Association. It is the largest and most influential organisation of aircraft brokers and dealers in the world. The impetus for NARA was to establish a code of ethics among airplane resale dealers. To that end, Gantt Aviation become known worldwide as an honest and upstanding dealer in the global market, a distinction that made its founder proud.

Gantt Aviation began in 1971. Since opening for business, Johnny Gantt's company helped set standards for ethical business practices and optimal levels of customer service among aircraft brokers and aircraft dealers around the country. Today the company buys, sells, and trades pre-owned corporate jets and turboprops.

Johnny Gantt was preceded in death by his mother, Mildred Ford Gantt, his father James Edward Gantt, his sister Mary Gantt Taylor, and his brother, George Gantt. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Eura Mae (Reid), his daughter Melanie Gantt Rivera and her husband Julian Rivera, his son Johnny (Jay) Gantt, Jr. and his wife Amy Gantt, five grandchildren: Johnny Bob Gantt, III, Leslie Lauren Gantt, Caroline Elizabeth Gantt, Liliana Rose Rivera, and Lola Grace Rivera, his sister Deena Gantt, and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of a funeral service, the family is planning a celebration of life.