Earl R. Blackwell (1923-2009)
Senator Blackwell served the people of the 22nd District (Jefferson, Madison, Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties). Born near Blackwell, he received his education from the Bonne Terre public school system; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, Ohio); and Washington University in St. Louis where he earned Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Laws and Doctor of Jurisprudence degrees. Senator Blackwell maintained law offices in Hillsboro, where he practiced law for 21 years. He served three years in the U.S. Army during World War II. Senator Blackwell was elected to the Senate in 1958, and re-elected in 1962, 1966 and 1970. During the 75th General Assembly, he served as President Pro Tem. (Democrat)

Served 1959-1974

Edwin L. Dirck (1928-1996)
Senator Dirck served the people of the 24th District (part of St. Louis County). He was a graduate of ITT Technical Institute. Senator Dirck was a retired locomotive engineer and worked as a marketing consultant. He was elected to the House of Representatives, District 72, in 1972, 1974 and 1976. He was first elected to the Senate in 1977. (Democrat)

Served 1977-1992

John E. Downs (1917-2003)
Senator Downs served the people of the 34th District (Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clinton and DeKalb counties). Born in St. Joseph, he received his education from St. Joseph schools and the University of Missouri, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree. Senator Downs was a practicing attorney and senior partner. He was assistant city counselor for St. Joseph; group attorney for the Security and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C.; and a two-term prosecuting attorney of Buchanan County. During World War II, Senator Downs served as a fighter pilot in the Marine Corps in the Southwest Pacific, where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1956. Senator Downs was elected to the Senate in 1960, and re-elected in 1962 and 1966 without opposition. (Democrat)

Served 1961-1970

Durward W. Gilmore (1911-1993)
Senator Gilmore served the people of the 27th District (Cape Girardeau, Mississippi and Scott counties). Born in East Prairie, he received his education from East Prairie public schools; the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland; the University of Missouri; and Washburn College in Topeka, Kansas, earning a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1938. He was an attorney; served in the U.S. Navy from 1941-1945 during World War II; and a commanding officer of the U.S. Naval Reserve Division in Cape Girardeau. Senator Gilmore served as prosecuting attorney of Scott County from 1947-1948. He was elected to the Senate in 1948, and resigned in 1951 when he was appointed to circuit court. (Democrat)

Served 1949-1951

James F. Patterson (1907-1989)
Senator Patterson served the people of the 25th District (Bollinger, Iron, Madison, New Madrid, Pemiscot and Stoddard counties). Born in Portageville, he graduated from high school in Morely, and attended Southeast Missouri State College in Cape Girardeau. Senator Patterson worked in mechanical and electrical engineering for a number of years; and for eight years was executive manager of the Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce. He joined his son in business in 1967 and served as vice president of Central Constructors, Inc. Senator Patterson was elected to the Senate in a special election in 1951, sworn in during the 66th General Assembly to serve two years of an unexpired term. He was re-elected to the Senate in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964 and 1968. In 1970, he was elected President Pro Tem, and re-elected to this position in 1971. (Democrat)

Served 1951-1972

Leo J. Rozier (1914-2008)
Senator Rozier served the people of the 22nd District (Jefferson, Madison, Perry, St. Francois, Ste. Genevieve and Washington counties). Born in Perryville, he attended Perryville elementary schools; high school at Chaminade College in Clayton; and received a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Missouri. Senator Rozier practiced law in Perryville. He served four years in the Infantry and Judge Advocate General’s Department during World War II, and was a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. Senator Rozier was the city attorney of Perryville from 1941-1942 until he was called to duty with the Armed Forces. He was reappointed after release from service and served until he was elected in 1946 to the House of Representatives to fill an unexpired term. Senator Rozier was re-elected in 1946 and 1948, serving in the 64th and 65th General Assemblies. In 1950, he was elected to the Senate and served in the 66th and 67th General Assemblies. In 1954, Senator Rozier was re-elected without opposition and served in the 68th and 69th General Assemblies. (Republican)

Served 1951-1958

Ike Skelton (1931-2013)
Senator Skelton served the people of the 28th District (Carroll, Chariton, Lafayette, Linn, Livingston, Macon, Ray and Saline counties). Born in Lexington, Lafayette County, he received his education from Lexington High School; Wentworth Military Academy Junior College; University of Missouri, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1953 and a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1956; and the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Senator Skelton was an attorney and a member of the First Christian Church of Lexington, Phi Beta Kappa, Q.E.B.H., Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Phi, and Alpha Pi Zeta fraternities, Missouri Alumni Association, Lafayette County March of Dimes, Lions Club, Elks Club, Masonic Bodies and Shrine, Boy Scouts, and Sigma Chi Corporation of Missouri. He served as Presidential Elector from the Fourth Congressional District in 1964, prosecuting attorney of Lafayette County from 1957-1960, special assistant attorney general from 1961-1963, chairman of the Lafayette County Central Democratic Committee from 1962-1966, and state legal counsel for the Junior Chamber of Commerce from 1963-1964. In 1970, Senator Skelton was elected to the Senate and re-elected in 1974. (Democrat)

Served 1971-1976

Albert M. Spradling, Jr. (1920-2004)
Senator Spradling served the people of the 27th District (Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Carter, Mississippi, Reynolds, Ripley, Scott and Wayne counties). Born in Cape Girardeau, he received his education from Cape Girardeau public schools; Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau; and the University of Missouri-Columbia where he earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree. Senator Spradling began practicing law with his family in 1942. He was a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1942-1945. In 1945, Senator Spradling began practicing law in Cape Girardeau and later was appointed city attorney of Cape Girardeau, serving from 1948-1952. He was elected to the Senate to complete an unexpired term. Senator Spradling was re-elected to the Senate in 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972. During the 71st and 72nd General Assemblies, he served as President Pro Tem. (Democrat)

Served 1952-1976

Cliff Titus (1890-1988)
Senator Titus served the people of the 28th District (Jasper County). Born in Fairfield, Nebraska, he received his education from public, state and theological schools in Nebraska. Senator Titus was a minister and resided in Joplin. During World War I, Senator Titus served as First Lieutenant-Chaplain with the 14th Infantry and became Captain-Chaplain of the 203rd CAC, Missouri National Guard in 1921. He was elected to the Senate in 1930, and in the 57th General Assembly acted as Secretary of the Veterans’ Legislative Club of the Legislature. (Republican)

Served 1931-1934

Robert A. Young (1923-2007)
Senator Young served the people of the 24th District (part of St. Louis County). Born in St. Louis, he received his education from St. Louis County parochial schools, and McBride and Normandy high schools in St. Louis. Senator Young was a member of the Pipefitters’ Union. He entered the U.S. Army in 1943, serving with the 346th Infantry, and the 87th Division in the European theater from 1944-1945. Senator Young was discharged in 1945 and awarded the Bronze Star for action in the European campaign. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 1956, and re-elected in 1958 and 1960. Senator Young was elected to the Senate in 1962, 1966, 1970, and 1974. (Democrat)

Served 1963-1976