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, judge, and justice of the Idaho Supreme Court from 1965 to 1971.

Early life, education, and military service

Born in

Anaconda, Montana Anaconda, county seat of Deer Lodge County, which has a consolidated city-county government, is located in southwestern Montana, United States. Located at the foot of the Anaconda Range (known locally as the "Pintlers"), the Continental Divid ...

, 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 Robert Eben Smylie (October 31, 1914 – July 17, 2004) was an American politician and attorney from Idaho. A member of the Idaho Republican Party, he served as the 24th governor of Idaho for twelve years, from 1955 to 1967. He was the first ...

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 Northern may refer to the following: Geography * North, a point in direction * Northern Europe, the northern part or region of Europe * Northern Highland, a region of Wisconsin, United States * Northern Province, Sri Lanka * Northern Range, a ra ...

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 A shotgun (also known as a scattergun, or historically as a fowling piece) is a long gun, long-barreled firearm designed to shoot a straight-walled cartridge (firearms), cartridge known as a shotshell, which usually discharges numerous small p ...

wound at his home", in an apparent

suicide Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Mental disorders (including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, anxiety disorders), physical disorders (such as chronic fatigue syndrome), and s ...

at age 61.

References

People from Anaconda, Montana University of Idaho alumni University of Idaho College of Law alumni United States Army personnel of World War II Justices of the Idaho Supreme Court Suicides by firearm in Idaho 1910s births 1974 deaths Year of birth uncertain {{Idaho-state-judge-stub