A former member of the North Carolina legislature died this week, just days after resigning from his position. Rep. Joe John died Tuesday, Jan. 22 after a battle with cancer, his family said. He announced in December that he had throat cancer,

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.

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.

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.