Joel H. Pullen

Joel H. Pullen, age 83, passed away on August 23, 2015. He was surrounded by his wife of 54 years, Reesa Rabinowitz Pullen; his children, Shari and Randy Pulman, Forrest Pullen, Scott Pullen and Rachel Stern, and Eric and Sheri Pullen; and his twelve grandchildren, Jason and wife Lindsay, Hailey, Joshua, Jonathan, Alexis, Maddie, Charlie, Gabe, Lainey, Abbi and Mitchell. Joel is also survived by his brother Stuart Pullen and wife Cathy, his sister-in-law Roz Pullen and his brother-in-law Bernard Rabinowitz and wife Martha.

Joel H. Pullen was born on December 7, 1931 in San Antonio, Texas to Sam and Inez Sack Pullen and grew up in Crystal City, Texas. He attended the University of Texas, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration with honors in 1953. He earned a Bachelor of Laws with honors from the University of Texas School of Law in 1955, where he graduated fifth in his class and was on the Texas Law Review. After graduation, Joel went to work at the Justice Department in Washington under their Honor Graduate Recruitment Program as one of forty-five graduates selected nationally. After six months of prosecuting claims under the Trading with the Enemies Act, Joel was drafted into the Army. When his father passed away, Joel went back to Crystal City to take care of his mother and two younger brothers, Stuart and Allen; he ran the family store for six months. Shortly thereafter, Joel began his illustrious legal career in San Antonio as a litigator. A highlight of his distinguished career was in 1971 when Joel argued and won an antitrust case before the U.S. Supreme Court. Joel loved the law, which he practiced for 55 years before retiring in 2009. Joel was a founding partner of Pulman, Cappuccio, Pullen, Benson & Jones, LLP, and was proud to be able to practice with his daughter Shari, his son Eric and his son-in-law Randy Pulman. Joel worked with and served as a mentor to many of San Antonio's finest lawyers.

In addition to his legal career, Joel was proud to serve as President of the Jewish Community Center from 1973 to 1975. In his honor, a fund has been established -- The Joel H. Pullen President's Fund. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to this fund at The Barshop Jewish Community Center, 12500 NW Military Hwy., Ste. 275, San Antonio, Texas 78231.

A man of unsurpassed character and integrity, Joel Pullen touched the lives of all who knew him and was, until the end, a true gentleman.

Interment will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at 3:00 pm at Memorial Gardens, 1727 Austin Hwy. A memorial service will follow at 4:30 pm at Congregation Agudas Achim, 16550 Huebner Road.