John H. Hannah Jr.

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]

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.

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]

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