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.

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.

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,