Donald E. Kelley
Donald E. Kelley (January 29, 1908 – September 17, 1995)[1] was an associate justice of the Colorado Supreme Court from 1967 to 1977.
Early life, education, and career
Born in McCook, Nebraska, Kelley attended a one-room grade school in Red Willow County, Nebraska, and was inspired to pursue a legal career by his grandfather, who was a lawyer.[1]
He attended the University of Nebraska, where he earned his law degree in 1930.[1] Following his graduation from law school, Kelley moved to Denver, Colorado, where he entered private law practice.[1]
Political and judicial career
In 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appointed Kelley United States Attorney for the District of Colorado,[2][3] in which capacity Kelley served until 1958.[3]
In 1962, Kelley was elected to the Colorado Senate, and in 1966 he sought election to the state supreme court.[4] In November 1966, Kelley was elected to the Colorado Supreme Court, defeated incumbent Justice Hilbert Schauer.[5] He took office on the court in January 1967 and served for ten years until his retirement in 1977.[1] He was succeeded on the bench by Justice Luis D. Rovira.[6]
Personal life and death
In 1930, Kelley married Georgia E. Pyne, with whom he had two sons.[1]
Kelley died in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 87.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Ex-Supreme Court justice Kelley dies at 87, Rocky Mountain News (September 22, 1995).
- ↑ "Donald E. Kelley Named by President". The Grand Island Independent. November 19, 1953. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "History of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado". United States Department of Justice. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
- ↑ "State Sen. Kelley Seeks Supreme Court Nomination". Pueblo Chieftain. August 19, 1966. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Republicans Grab Most of Top Jobs In Colorado Vote". Pueblo Chieftain. November 10, 1966. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Lamm appoints judge to state supreme court", The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel (December 23, 1978), p. 11.