Nationality American Alma mater Washington University Political party Democratic Name Donald Gralike | Spouse(s) Rita J. Simeone Role American Politician Children 4 sons Party Democratic Party | |
Born October 22, 1929
St. Louis County, Missouri ( 1929-10-22 ) Occupation politician, teacher, soldier, union president Died December 6, 2015, Missouri, United States Education Washington University in St. Louis | ||
Donald J. Gralike (October 22, 1929 – December 6, 2015) was an American politician who served in the Missouri Senate and the Missouri House of Representatives. He served in the U.S. Army with the 185th Engineer Combat Battery during the Korean War from January 1952 until January 1954. Gralike was previously elected to the Missouri House of Representatives in 1962, serving until 1972 and previously as House majority whip. He also served as a local president for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. In 1976, Gralike ran against future U.S. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt to represent the Missouri's 3rd congressional district, losing 56% to 38%. He later served as vice chairman of the Missouri Veterans Commission until November 2, 2003. He died after a short illness in 2015.