John H. Hannah Jr.

John Henry Hannah Jr. (June 30, 1939 – December 4, 2003) from was an American lawyer, politician, and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.

Early life and education
Born in Nacogdoches County, Hannah was raised in Diboll, Texas. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Sam Houston State 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 and received his law license through self-study.

Career
Hannah served in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1961. He served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives for the fifth district from 1967 to 1973 and worked in private practice in Lufkin from 1971 to 1973. He was a district attorney in Angelina County 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 again worked in private practice in Lufkin from 1981 to 1991. He was a secretary of state of Texas from 1991 to 1994. He was a member of the Democratic Party.

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.

Personal life
Hannah died suddenly of a heart attack on December 4, 2003, while attending a judicial conference in West Palm Beach, Florida. His wife, United States Magistrate Judith Guthrie was with him when he died.