McRae was nominated by President
Lyndon B. Johnson on September 22, 1966, to a seat on the
United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee vacated by Judge
Marion Speed Boyd. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on October 20, 1966, and received his commission on November 3, 1966. He served as Chief Judge from 1979 to 1986. He assumed
senior status on December 31, 1986. McRae served in that capacity until his death on June 25, 2004. ==Notable case==