John P. Gamino

John P. Gamino, a clinical professor in the Naveen Jindal School of Management’s Accounting Area and director of the school’s BS in Accounting program, passed away on June 17, 2025, after battling cancer.

Born in Oklahoma City in 1950, Professor Gamino earned a BA from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, a JD from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Taxation from the University of Miami School of Law. He was also a certified public accountant.

Admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, he devoted most of his career to tax law, where he established himself as a respected authority. In 2014, he joined the faculty of the Jindal School of Management, where he guided students in accounting and taxation with dedication and distinction.

Those who worked with him remember not just his professional achievements, but the thoughtful way he challenged students to think more deeply, even when it wasn’t the easy path.

“John was a fantastic colleague,” said Dr. William Cready, area coordinator of the Accounting Area at the Jindal School. “He was also an incredible teacher.”

Van Dam, assistant director of the undergraduate accounting program at the Jindal School, began working with Gamino in 2017. She said he stood out for his talented, calm demeanor and great sense of humor.

“Talking with him always left me feeling lighter — he had a way of making people laugh when they least expected it,” she said.

“I remember when he learned that some of us at JSOM ran half-marathons. He smiled and pointed to the artwork on his office wall, which he got from a marathon he had completed. In addition to that, John loved biking around White Rock Lake and cherished his breaks between semesters, using them to visit family or embark on new adventures.”

Dam added that Gamino was a passionate educator whose students enjoyed learning from him.

“He was amazed to learn that students speak multiple languages, and he took absolute joy in helping others grow,” she said. “When students were unsure about which path to take in accounting, John had a clear answer: ‘Tax,’ he’d say. ‘If you choose tax, you’re on the same side as your clients.’”

As a leader and mentor, Dam said, Gamino was exceptional.

“I learned so much from him,” she said. “He often reminded me, ‘Less is more,’ and ‘Don’t ask the question unless you know the answer.’ When I started working with him, he liked to keep our meetings brief — no longer than 10 minutes. That was tough for me initially, because I always had much to share. But he taught me how to make the most of those minutes over time. It was a lesson in clarity, efficiency and respect for time. Despite John’s preference for brevity, he was an incredibly caring and supportive leader and colleague. I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with him. John’s legacy lives on in the students he inspired and the colleagues he uplifted.”