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Samuel McClure Obituary

58, died November 10, 2011. Born Colorado Springs the only child of Margaret McClure, a nurse, and Walter McClure, a Presbyterian minister, Sam graduated from Cheyenne Mountain High School, received his bachelor's degree from UC Santa Barbara and law degree from Denver University. Sam began his 25-year career in public defense in 1978 when he joined the Colorado Springs office of the Public Defender. He worked in public defense in Golden, was office head in Salida, and went on to the Pueblo and Canon City offices. He opened a private practice in Canon City in 2004, and moved back to Colorado Springs last year. Sam was known for his passionate defense of underdogs, and his ability to communicate to judges and juries alike his clients' fundamental humanity. He could see through personality and deeds to find the best in people, earning him the respect, trust and friendship of even his adversaries. He smiled quickly, laughed loudly, and bore no grudges. A lifelong runner, Sam was a member of the small club of runners who have completed a marathon in all fifty states, after which accomplishment he just kept running. A poster-size photograph on his wall was inscribed: "The race is not to the fastest, but to those who keep running." Sam's home was a menagerie of small animals, which he loved no differently than he loved people. Sam is survived by daughter Laiken Dale McClure, whom he treasured above all else, his former wife, Karen McClure, and step-sons Christopher and Preston Spurlock, all of Canon City; the legal community; and countless friends. Donations in Sam's name may be sent to Second Wind Foundation for prevention of teen suicide (www.swfmd.org) or to the Humane Society. Memorial held at the All Souls Unitarian Church, 730 North Tejon at Dale St., Sunday December 11 at 1:00 p.m. Further information available from [email protected].

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Gazette on Nov. 20, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for Samuel McClure

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Mark Maestas

November 14, 2024

Sam my good, good friend, I am saddened that you are no longer around physically, but however you are not forgotten for I still think about you so in all honesty you are still amongst us.
Thank you for your friendship and for being such a good person to everybody.
May God Bless you Sam, please pray for me, thank you.

Mark Maestas

November 14, 2023

Sam was one in a million as a former Peace Officer I never thought much about attorneys, but Sam was one who could show you another side, he wasn´t about winning or losing he was about showing how people are human and not perfect no matter who or what you were. He was my friend and I miss him, say a prayer for me Sam, rather say a prayer for all of us.

Mark Maestas

November 14, 2021

Sam was such a gentleman, he as a Law Enforcement officer I had the privilege of watching Sam in his profession.
He up front and honest with his clients and all those he associated with, I was never for lawyers but Sam was friend and he is greatly missed.

Mark Maestas

August 13, 2021

I know it´s been going on 10 years, but I was in Law Enforcement and Sam was one of the very few attorneys of whom I had high regards for.
It didn´t matter whether you were his client or his adversary, he would always go out of his way to show his respect for you.
I will always remember that on my Birthday I asked him to join us at Gus´ Tavern in Pueblo after work. Well I walked in the door and Lo and behold who is there waiting for me "Sam", I told him that I really didn´t think he would show, he told "well you invited me, and how can I say no to a friend " and a friend he was .
I really miss you Sam you are good Man, please pray fo me.

Richard

December 15, 2011

Many years ago, when Sam was in Elementary school, in a school play Sam starred as the character Do Well in the play "Will Do Well, do well?".
Sam was Do Well in all he did. I will always love him and forever miss him.
Richard

Steve Kidd

December 9, 2011

I knew Sam on the swim team at Cheyenne Mountain many years ago. We reconnected in recent years both professionally and with our running. I can't believe he is gone from us. I will miss him a lot.

Bill

November 22, 2011

A sad day to hear of such a tragedy

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