Zollie Steakley

Zollie Coffer Steakley, Jr. (August 29, 1908 – March 24, 1992) was a Texas lawyer, politician and judge, serving as Secretary of State of Texas and as a justice of the Texas Supreme Court. Early years and education Steakley was born in Rotan, Texas, and moved to Comanche County, Texas as a young child where he grew up and attended school. He graduated as valedictorian from DeLeon High School in 1926, and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Simmons University (now Hardin-Simmons University) in Abilene in 1929. While at Simmons University, Steakley excelled in baseball and as a member of the debate team. Upon graduation, he declined a professional baseball contract to pursue a law degree. Steakley earned an LL.B. from The University of Texas School of Law in 1932, where he served as student editor of the Texas Law Review. Career