You are here
Payne, James H.
Born March 5, 1941, in Lubbock, TX
Died December 2, 2025
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Served as chief judge, 2002-2017. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Other Federal Judicial Service:
U.S. Magistrate/U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, 1988-2001
Education:
University of Oklahoma, B.S., 1963
University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 1966
Professional Career:
Died December 2, 2025
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Served as chief judge, 2002-2017. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma
Nominated by George W. Bush on September 4, 2001, to a seat vacated by Billy Michael Burrage. Confirmed by the Senate on October 23, 2001, and received commission on October 24, 2001. Assumed senior status on August 1, 2017. Service terminated on December 2, 2025, due to death.
Other Federal Judicial Service:
U.S. Magistrate/U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, 1988-2001
Education:
University of Oklahoma, B.S., 1963
University of Oklahoma College of Law, J.D., 1966
Professional Career:
U.S. Air Force, 1966-1970
U.S. Air Force Reserve, 1975-1992
Assistant U.S. attorney, Eastern District of Oklahoma, 1970-1973
Private practice, Oklahoma, 1973-1988
Nominated to U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, September 17, 1992; no Senate vote
Nominated to U.S. District Courts for the Eastern, Northern and Western Districts of Oklahoma, August 2, 2001; no Senate vote
Nominated to U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, September 29, 2005; nomination withdrawn by president, March 7, 2006
The act of June 22, 1936, 49 Stat. 1804, authorized one judgeship to serve the Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of Oklahoma.