Clay V. Spear (January 10, 1913 – May 15, 1974)"Ex-Supreme Court Justice In Idaho Takes Own Life?", The Ogden Standard-Examiner (May 17, 1974), p. 8. was an American attorney, and judge who served as a justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 1965 to 1971.
Early life, education, and military service Born in Anaconda, Montana, Spear graduated from the University of Idaho in Moscow, and received his J.D. from its College of Law in 1936. He served in the European theatre of World War II, where he "received four battle stars and a Bronze Star medal for service in the Battle of the Bulge"."Lawyer Chosen Head of V.F.W.", The Spokesman-Review (October 13, 1946), p. 12. In 1946, he was named head of the VFW of Coeur d'Alene.
Judicial career Spear was appointed as a district judge in 1953, and elevated to the state supreme court by Governor Robert Smylie in 1965, taking office on January 2, 1966."Judgeship Rites Set for Monday", Idaho Free Press (December 31, 1965), p. 3. A resident of Coeur d'Alene at the time, he was the only member of the court from northern Idaho."Boise Attorney Robert Bakes To Take Supreme Court Seat", Idaho State Journal (December 23, 1971), p. 2. Spear retired from the court in December 1971 due to poor health, relocated to Lewiston in 1972, and opened a part-time law practice.
Death Spear "was found dead of a shotgun wound at his home", in an apparent suicide at age 61.
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