John H. Hannah Jr.

John Henry Hannah Jr.[2] (June 30, 1939 – December 4, 2003) from Diboll, Texas[3] was a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

John H. Hannah Jr.
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
In office 2001 – December 4, 2003
Preceded by	Richard A. Schell
Succeeded by	Thad Heartfield
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
In office March 11, 1994 – December 4, 2003
Appointed by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089
Succeeded by	Michael H. Schneider Sr.
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 5th district
In office January 10, 1967 – January 9, 1973
Preceded by	Steve Burgess
Succeeded by	Herman Adams, Jr.
Personal details
Born	John Henry Hannah Jr. (1939-06-30)June 30, 1939 Nacogdoches County, Texas
Died	December 4, 2003(2003-12-04) (aged 64) West Palm Beach, Florida
Political party	Democratic [1]
Education	Sam Houston State University (B.S.) University of Houston Law Center South Texas College of Law

Education and career

Born in Nacogdoches County, Texas, Hannah was in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1961. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston University in 1966 and attended the University of Houston Law Center and the South Texas College of Law. He did not receive a law degree from either institution, but is listed by the Texas Bar as receiving his law license by way of self study.[4] He was a Texas state representative, 5th District from 1967 to 1973, and was in private practice in Lufkin, Texas from 1971 to 1973. He was a district attorney in Angelina County, Texas from 1973 to 1975, and was legal counsel to Common Cause of Texas in 1975, returning to private practice in Lufkin from 1975 to 1977. He was the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Texas from 1977 to 1981, and was again in private practice in Lufkin from 1981 to 1991. He was a Secretary of State for the State of Texas from 1991 to 1994. He was a member of the Democratic Party[1]

Federal judicial service

On November 19, 1993, Hannah was nominated by President Bill Clinton to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas created by 104 Stat. 5089. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 10, 1994, and received his commission on March 11, 1994. He served as chief judge from 2001 to 2003, serving in that capacity until his death.

Death

Hannah died suddenly of a heart attack on December 4, 2003, while attending a judicial conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. He was stricken in his hotel room. His wife, United States Magistrate Judith Guthrie was with him when he died.[1]

References

1. "John H. Hannah Jr.'s Obituary on Austin American-Statesman".
2. "Legislative Reference Library | Legislators and Leaders | Member profile". lrl.texas.gov. Retrieved 23 December 2019.
3. John H. Hannah, Jr. '65 | Office of Alumni Relations | Sam Houston State University Retrieved 2018-04-21.
4. "Official profile at Texas Lawyers".

Sources

• John H. Hannah Jr. at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.

Legal offices
Preceded by Seat established by 104 Stat. 5089	Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 1994–2003	Succeeded by Michael H. Schneider Sr.
Preceded by Richard A. Schell	Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas 2001–2003	Succeeded by Thad Heartfield