Judge Cullen Coil was a member of Roosevelt High’s first graduation class of June 1925. He was one of the 1300 McKinley High students who transferred to Roosevelt when it opened the previous January. He continued the leadership role he had at McKinley while attending Roosevelt for the next five months. He went on to have an extraordinarily successful career as an attorney and Judge, while helping his community in many ways. His path to the law was forged early, being influenced by his uncle and namesake, Patrick Cullen, a St. Louis attorney. Sadly, he passed away in 1989. The highlights of his life follow:

McKinley and Roosevelt High School Activities

At McKinley:

• Editor in Chief of The Carnation (Yearbook)
• Track Team
• President – Literary Club
• Debate Team
• Choir Leader

At Roosevelt:

• President – Senior Class
• President – Torch Club
• Rough Rider Staff
• Oratory Team
• Track Team

In April 1925, Judge Coil competed in an Oratorical contest sponsored by the Globe Democrat. He took second place against students from Eastern Missouri. He advanced to the state finals, taking second place speaking about the U.S. Constitution.

University of Missouri – Columbia

 Judge Coil attended Mizzou obtaining a law degree in 1932. His achievements pertaining to Mizzou:

• 1949 – 1953 President of MU’s Alumni Association – St. Louis
• 1953 – 1961 National President of MU’s Alumni Association
• 1956 – 1960 Served on MU’s Planning and Project Committee.
• 1960 – The MU Law School gave him its Citation of Merit for distinguished service to the law profession.
• 1962 – Given the University’s Distinguished Service Award, for outstanding service in support of the University.
• 1975 – Appointed by MU’s Board of Curators as an “University Consulate,” one of the school’s highest honors for his exceptional past service.

Law Career

Judge Coil practiced law for over forty years, both in private practice and as a Judge, except for two plus years of military service during World War II.

• 1932 – Judge Coil passed the Missouri bar exam on his first try. Only 29 of 185 students passed that test.
• 1932 – 1951 – Was in private practice with various St. Louis based law firms, including those with his uncle, Patrick Cullen.
• 1951 – Appointed by the Missouri Supreme Court Justices to the position of Commissioner to the Court. Commissioners performed much like the Supreme Court, historically helping the court manage its caseload by hearing cases, writing opinions, and making recommendations to the Supreme Court. He held this position for 13 years, being reappointed to four-year terms in 1955 and 1959. When he resigned in 1964, many of the Justices praised his work for the Court. Judge Coil lived in Jefferson City since 1951.
• Past member of the Board of Governors for the Missouri Bar Association.
• 1958 – He was guest speaker and honoree at an event for MU Law School’s fraternity, Phi Delta Phi.
• 1959 – The Lawyer’s Association of St. Louis gave him its Award of Honor.
• 1960 – Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick appointed him to Chair of the Securities Study Commission empowered to review the state’s laws regarding the regulation of the securities and life insurance industries.
• 1963 – Judge Coil was one of three finalists for an appointment to the Missouri Supreme Court. He was not selected.
• 1972 – Judge Coil was appointed as General Counsel for the State Democratic Committee.

Military Service

 Judge Coil enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corp in May 1942. As a Captain, he commanded a meteorology program for military personnel at the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor. He was later assigned to Japan after their surrender. He held the rank of Major when he was discharged in December 1945.

Jefferson City Civic Involvement

After resigning as Court Commissioner, Judge Coil stayed in Jefferson City returning to private practice. He was active in many civic endeavors since 1951.

• Co-Chair – Citizens Committee for Adequate Libraries.
• Member of the Board of Directors for Memorial Community Hospital.
• 1963 – Guest Speaker at Missouri Boys State – 720 attendees.
• Chair – First Christian Church
• Board of Directors for the Woodhaven Learning Center. They raised $2.5 million dollars in 1960 to build a facility to treat 200 children with special needs.

As can be seen by Judge Coil’s career and life of service helping others, he exemplifies the true Rough Rider spirit and is a credit to the Roosevelt High School community.