Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Judicial Appointment topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County Court at Law Judge John Morris to resign; court appoints Andrea Watson to take office June 1
Summary
John Morris told the court he will resign effective May 31, 2026, citing personal reasons; the Commissioners Court accepted the resignation and appointed Andrea Watson as the court at law judge effective June 1, 2026, in unanimous votes.
The Cooke County Commissioners Court accepted the resignation of County Court at Law Judge John Morris effective May 31, 2026, and appointed the court at law judge-elect Andrea Watson to assume the post beginning June 1, 2026.
Judge Morris addressed the court after his resignation letter was presented. He said his wife passed away several months ago and that the decision to retire followed that life change; he added he would be available to assist if the administrative judge requested visiting-judge coverage. "My wife passed away about four months ago. It's been a significant life change for me," Morris said, and he indicated his last day of work would be May 29 while his resignation would be effective May 31.
The court moved to accept the resignation and approved the motion 5–0. The court then moved to appoint Andrea Watson (referred to in one part of the record as Andrea Townson) as the county court at law judge beginning June 1, 2026; that motion also passed 5–0. Court members congratulated the appointee following the vote.
Next steps: the court will finalize administrative transition plans and the incoming judge will be sworn in according to the county's schedule.
