Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Sear received a Juris Doctor from Tulane University Law School in 1950.

He was an assistant district attorney of the Parish of Orleans, Louisiana from 1952 to 1955.

On March 30, 1976, Sear was nominated by President Gerald Ford to a seat on that court vacated by Judge James August Comiskey.

Sear was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 6, 1976, and received his commission on May 7, 1976.

He served as a Judge of the Temporary Emergency Court of Appeals from 1982 to 1993.