James Daniel Cullen
Fortified with the Sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, passed away peacefully on July 29, 2020 at the age of 95; beloved husband of Joyce Marie (nee Jackson); dear father of Mary Lynn (Mark) Walsh; James Daniel (Lisa) Cullen, Jr.; Michael Parnell (Laurie) Cullen; Carol Ann Cullen: loving grandfather of Mark Daniel (Shannon) Walsh, Jr., Ryan Cullen (Diana) Walsh; Lauren (Brandon) Campian; Courtney Michele Cullen; James Daniel (Courtney) Cullen IV; Patrick Cullen Walsh; Christopher Michael Cullen; Brian Bernard Bernstein; Sean Michael Cullen; Corey James Cullen; Stephen Cullen Bernstein; Cullen James Walsh; Bridget Ann Bernstein; Zachary Michael Hale; great-grandfather of Elizabeth Ann Walsh, James Daniel Cullen V; Sophie James Walsh; Leah James Campian; and John Leo Walsh; dear brother of Mary O’Connell and the late John Cullen; dear brother-in-law, uncle, cousin and friend. Mr. Cullen was a life-long St. Louisan who attended school at St. Teresa’s parish school and St. Louis University High School. Mr. Cullen came from humble beginnings losing his father at an early age. As the oldest child, he cared for his sister and brother while his dear mother was in the hospital stricken for a long period with tuberculosis. During this time, he supported his family by selling newspapers in his neighborhood and scorecards at Sportsman’s Park. He eventually worked his way up to become assistant traveling secretary for both the St. Louis Browns and St. Louis Cardinals from 1940 – 1943 before volunteering for military service as an underage enlistee. He served as a navigator / bombardier in the Army-Air Corp during WWII reaching the rank of 1st Lieutenant. After his active military service, Mr. Cullen attended St. Louis University and St. Louis University Law School. Mr. Cullen was a two-sport letterman at St. Louis University playing both basketball and football. He went on to become a prominent attorney with a diverse practice representing clients both domestically and internationally. Early in his career, he earned acclaim as a civil rights attorney working with the Rev. Ralph Abernathy and the Rev. Martin Luther King. He later went on to represent the National Hockey League, St. Louis Blues, California Seals, Denver Rockies, and World Football League along with participating in the drafting of the constitution of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Mr. Cullen was the last living founding member of the St. Louis Blues.
Mr. Cullen was a life-long Catholic and daily communicant who not only loved his faith but also lived it by serving on numerous charitable boards. He held humility in high regard and was always available to assist and counsel someone in need without acknowledgment. He will be remembered by family and friends as the consummate gentleman who would greet all with a smile that conveyed both peace and love.
Services: A funeral Mass for all who would like to attend (with social distancing) will be held on Friday, August 21, 2020 at The Church of the Immacolata, 8900 Clayton Road in Richmond Heights, MO 63117 at 11 a.m. Private interment will be for the immediate family at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Due to the current pandemic, an Irish wake honoring Mr. Cullen will be held for family and friends at a future date.
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