Robert B. Cullum

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Robert Brooks Cullum (May 10, 1912 - December 11, 1981) was an American businessman and civic leader.

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Early life

Robert B. Cullum was born in Dallas, Texas on May 10, 1912, son of Ashley Wilson and Eloise (Brooks) Cullum. He attended North Dallas High School (where he played on the football team), transferred to Kemper Military School, and then to Southern Methodist University; he earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from SMU. He married Dorothy Dan Rogers.

Dallas City in Texas, United States

Dallas is a city in the U.S. state of Texas. With an estimated 2017 population of 1,341,075, it is the ninth most-populous city in the U.S. and third in Texas after Houston and San Antonio. Dallas is the main core of the largest metropolitan area in the Southern United States and the largest inland metropolitan area in the U.S. that lacks any navigable link to the sea. It is the most populous city in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country at 7.3 million people as of 2017. Dallas is the seat of Dallas County. Sections of the city extend into Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties.

North Dallas High School High school in Dallas, Texas, United States

North Dallas High School is a public secondary school located in the Oak Lawn area of Dallas, Texas, United States. It enrolls students in grades 9-12 and is a part of the Dallas Independent School District. As of 2017, the principal administrator is Katherine Eska.

Kemper Military School & College was a private military school located in Boonville, Missouri. Founded in 1844, Kemper filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2002. Known as the "West Point of the West", the school's motto was "Nunquam Non Paratus".

Business years

Cullum, along with brother Charles, took over the family's business, which gained control of Toro Food Stores. They later renamed the chain of failing food stores Tom Thumb Food Stores.

Cullum served on the board of directors of the State Fair of Texas, as president of the same from 1967 to 1969, served as president of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce from 1964 to 1965, and also served on the board of directors for Dallas Power and Light, the Dr Pepper Company, and the Republic National Bank of Dallas.

State Fair of Texas

The State Fair of Texas is an annual state fair held in Dallas at historic Fair Park. The fair has taken place every year since 1886 except for varying periods during World War I and World War II. It usually begins the last Friday in September and ends 24 days later. While an annual attendance of over 2 million, it is consistently recognized as one of the most highly attended and best state fairs in America as well as Dallas's signature event.

Dr Pepper/Seven Up, Inc. was a Plano, Texas-based soft-drink manufacturing company created by the merger of Dr Pepper, Inc. and The 7 Up Company on May 19, 1986. The merger was a result of the independent bailouts of both companies and the subsequent FTC blockage of a Dr Pepper merger with Coca-Cola. The DPSU merger resulted in the breakup of international branding rights held by the two independent companies.

Cullum was a trustee on the board of the Southwestern Medical Foundation (which evolved to form the UT Southwestern Medical Center) and of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders. He was also one of the three negotiators that formed the Dallas-Fort Worth Regional Airport (now the DFW International Airport).

Death and awards

In 1962, Cullum received the Linz Award for civic service to the city of Dallas, the Brotherhood Citation of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, and, in 1964, he was named the Dallas Press Club's Headliner of the Year.

Cullum died on December 11, 1981 in Dallas. He is buried at the Hillcrest Mausoleum.

Part of Texas State Highway 352, which runs in front of Fair Park (annual site of the State Fair of Texas), is named in his honor.

Texas State Highway 352 highway in Texas

State Highway 352 or SH 352 is a Texas state highway running from Dallas east through Mesquite before finally ending in Sunnyvale. The route mainly runs along Scyene Rd. The highway was designated on October 6, 1943 from U.S. Highway 80 in Mesquite west to U.S. Highway 175 southeast of Dallas, replacing part of SH 183 when it was relocated to the north, and was extended into Dallas on February 17, 1964 when US 175 was relocated to the west. On June 25, 1991, the section of SH 352 from I-30 to the old route of US 80 was cancelled and removed from the state highway system.

Fair Park recreational and educational complex in Dallas, Texas

Fair Park is a 277-acre (112 ha) recreational and educational complex located in Dallas, Texas. The area, which is immediately east of downtown Dallas, is registered as a Dallas Landmark and National Historic Landmark. Many of the buildings were constructed for the Texas Centennial Exposition in 1936.

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References

  1. Handbook of Texas Online - Robert B. Cullum article