Rory Ellinger facts for kids

Rory Vincent Ellinger (June 13, 1941 – April 9, 2014) was an American lawyer and politician. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri. Ellinger served as a state representative for District 86 in St. Louis County. This district included areas like Pagedale, University City, and Wellston. He was first elected in November 2010 as a member of the Democratic Party.

Early Life and Activism

Rory Ellinger was born in St. Louis. His father, Russell Ellinger, was a business president. His mother, Lois Kelley Ellinger, was active in politics. Rory grew up in Webster Groves. He graduated from Bishop DuBourg High School.

While working at a grocery store in the late 1950s, Rory saw a protest. People were picketing a nearby Woolworth's store. This protest was about hiring practices. He joined the NAACP protest. This experience started his long journey as a civil rights and peace activist. His parents both passed away when he was 24 years old.

His Work for Civil Rights

In the 1960s, Rory Ellinger worked with the Young Christian Students movement. This was a Catholic group that focused on social change. He worked with important leaders like Martin Luther King Jr.. He helped organize groups for peace and civil rights in Boston and Cleveland. He also worked with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).

Rory was arrested and jailed several times for his activism. In 1965, he was jailed with Dr. King. This happened in Alabama during the famous Selma to Montgomery marches. For a short time in 1966, he even served as a bodyguard for Dr. King.

Education and Law Career

After his time as an activist, Rory Ellinger went back to school. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC) in 1963. He then got a Master of Arts degree in history from the University of Missouri (Mizzou). Later, he earned his law degree (Juris Doctor) from UMKC.

Ellinger started his own law firm, Ellinger & Associates, P.C. This firm was in O'Fallon, Missouri. He was a member of The Missouri Bar. He also served as treasurer and secretary for the St. Charles County Bar Association. Rory successfully argued cases in several high courts. These included the Missouri Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court of Missouri. He also argued in the Eighth U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

He was also a member of the St. Louis Urban League. He belonged to The Ethical Society of St. Louis. In 1991, Rory was elected to the University City School Board. He served on the board for twelve years. For ten of those years, he held leadership roles.

Family Life

In 1980, Rory Ellinger married Linda Locke. Linda is a business leader. They had two children, Maggie Ellinger-Locke and Martin Ellinger.

Maggie is a criminal defense attorney in St. Louis. She graduated from City University of New York School of Law in 2011. She is known for helping with the Occupy St. Louis movement. She also supports other causes, including the Black Lives Matter movement. Martin used to be a volunteer with the Peace Corps. He now works as a transportation analyst.

Rory Ellinger passed away on April 9, 2014. He was 72 years old. He died while still serving in office. He had a rare and serious form of liver cancer.

Work as a Legislator

Rory Ellinger became known as a very progressive legislator in Missouri. He and another representative, Jill Schupp, introduced a bill. This bill, House Bill 545, aimed to ban certain semi-automatic rifles. It also wanted to ban magazines that hold more than ten rounds. The bill suggested that existing firearms of these types be taken or destroyed. It did not offer payment for them. This bill was never passed into law.