North Carolina state Rep. Joe John, a longtime Raleigh lawmaker and former judge, died on Wednesday. John had only just resigned his District 40 House seat in the General Assembly days earlier, as he announced Sunday that his throat cancer was terminal and he was focused on spending time with his family. He was 85.

State Rep. Joe John, a Wake County Democrat who served the state for decades in a variety of judicial, administrative and legislative roles, has died. John, who was 85, had announced his resignation from his House seat this week,

Joe John, a Wake County Democrat elected to a fifth term in November, revealed a throat cancer diagnosis in December. Over the weekend John announced his resignation.

Rep. Joe John, who served as a North Carolina state lawmaker after years in the judiciary, died Wednesday, his family said. He was 85. John, a Democrat from Wake County, resigned days prior from the House.

North Carolina State Rep. Joe John resigns due to a terminal cancer diagnosis, ending his tenure marked by a dedication to justice and public service.

Following a terminal cancer diagnosis, Rep. Joe John, a Wake County Democrat who served in the North Carolina General Assembly for eight years, announced his resignation from the state House on Sunday.

John, who was 85, had announced his resignation from his House seat this week, saying that he needed to focus on his health and spend time with his family.