Leroy Tyus

Eddie Leroy Tyus also known as LeRoy Tyus, was an American politician, real estate developer, and state legislator in Missouri. Tyus represented St. Louis as a democrat in the Missouri [House of Representatives] from 1950 to 1961. Also known as E. Leroy Tyus.

Biography

Leroy Tyus was born in Brownsville, Tennessee. He attended Lane College, and Lincoln University law school. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
Tyus represented St. Louis as a democrat in the Missouri House of Representatives for five terms, from 1950 to 1961. He pushed for desegregation, and while in office he unsuccessfully pushed for a bill that would desegregate the schools. He was a Democratic Committee member in the 20th Ward for 23 years. He retired from politics in 1983.
In 1984, Tyus was one of six people indicted in a cable television case, they were charged with conspiracy and attempted extortion. The others involved in the legal case included Sorkis Webbe Jr., an alderman in the 7th Ward; Sorkis Webbe Sr., a powerful St. Louis politician; Thomas E. Zych, politician and president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen; James D. Cullen, Jr. a lawyer; and Eugene P. Slay, a businessman. The courts convicted the six people, but it was later appealed and the case was Overturned convictions in [the United States|overturned] and Zych was acquitted.
He died from complications of a heart attack on October 15, 1998, at the Vencor Hospital in St. Louis. His the namesake of Tyus Court in St. Louis.