Adrian Anthony Spears

Who was Adrian Anthony Spears?

Adrian Anthony Spears was a United States federal judge.

Born in Darlington, South Carolina, Spears received an LL.B. from the University of South Carolina Law Center in 1934, and was in private practice in Darlington, South Carolina from 1934 to 1936, and then in San Antonio, Texas from 1937 to 1961. He was a special district judge of the State of Texas in 1951.

On October 5, 1961, Spears received a recess appointment from President John F. Kennedy to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas created by 75 Stat. 80. Formally nominated on January 15, 1962, he was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 16, 1962, and received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 1962–1979, assuming senior status on October 10, 1979. He resigned from the court entirely on December 31, 1982. He was thereafter a Vice president of Tetco, Inc., in San Antonio, from 1983 until his death in that city in 1991.