Former Texas Supreme Court Justice Jack Hightower, a Democrat who also served a decade in Congress under three different presidents, has died. He was 86.
Osler McCarthy, a spokesman for the state's high court, said Hightower died Saturday in Austin. McCarthy said Hightower had Parkinson's disease.
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice Wallace Jefferson said the state has "lost a true champion among its public servants."
Hightower began his political career in both the state House and Senate before being elected to Congress in 1975. He won a seat on the court in 1988 and stayed until 1996, and remains the state's last justice with legislative experience.
Hightower is survived by his wife, Colleen, and three daughters.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.