Full Name:  James Emanuel Joanos
     Born:  June 28, 1934, Tallahassee, Fla.
     Died:  January 20, 2024, Tallahassee, Fla.
   School:  Leon HS in Tallahassee, Florida

Legacy Bricks:  Legacy Walk Map Link
   2015 Moore-Stone Award HOF - Loc 54

Year  Pos     Hgt  Wgt  Cl  Ltr  Hometown
52-53 MD      5-6  140  Fr       Tallahassee                     
54-55 D       5-7  145  Jr       Tallahassee                     

James Emanuel Joanos, a lifetime resident of Tallahassee, died on January 20, 2024. "Jimmy" was born June 28, 1934, to parents, Emanuel and Theologia Joanos, immigrants to Tallahassee from the Greek Holy Island of Patmos.

Jimmy graduated from Leon High School, Florida State University and Yale Law School. From 1956 to 1959, he served on active duty as an officer in the United States Air Force.

At Leon High, he was Student Body Vice President, Captain of the Track Team and a football letterman. At FSU, Jimmy was President of the Freshman Class, Vice President of the Student Body, and President of the Sigma Chi Chapter, the Omicron Delta Kappa Circle, the Interfraternity Council, and the Interfaith Council.

Since 1957, Jimmy has been married to his college sweetheart, Betty Lou Whittle Joanos. In addition to his wife, he is survived by their children, Julia Joanos Crump (Darrell), Janet Joanos Pung (Steve), and James Joanos, Jr., (Lori); seven grandchildren, four great grandchildren and brother, Paul Joanos (Cheryl). Since 2016, Jimmy and Betty Lou have resided at the Westminster Oaks Retirement Village.

In the legal profession, Jimmy served as a law clerk (1962-63), practiced law in Tallahassee and the surrounding area (1963-71 and 2001-2020), was Judge of the Leon County Felony Court of Record for Leon County (1971-73), served as Circuit Judge of the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida (1973-80), and Judge of the Florida First District Court of Appeal (1980-2001). While a member of the "First DCA", he served a term as Chief Judge of that Court and a term as President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges. He served as a charter member and later served a term as President of the Stafford Chapter of the American Inns of Court.

Some of Jimmy's civic activities have included being President of the Tallahassee Jaycees, the Tallahassee Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Suwannee River Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He was a coach of several youth league sports teams and was a founding member of Springtime Tallahassee and Lemoyne Arts Center. He has been awarded the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts, the Significant Sig Award from Sigma Chi Fraternity and one of five Outstanding Young Men of Florida award from the Florida Jaycees.

An active FSU alumnus, Jimmy served that institution in numerous ways including being Chairman of the FSU National Alumni Association. He was a member of a four-person committee that selected the first Dean and helped found the FSU College of Law. He taught classes at FSU, in the law school and in the College of Criminology. He also chaired and served on numerous committees. He has been honored by FSU in many ways including membership in ODK, Gold Key, and FSU Circle of Gold. In 1991 he and Betty Lou served as Homecoming Parade Grand Marshals. In 2005, he received the Sliger Award, the highest honor for lifetime service from FSU Alumni Association. In 2015, Jimmy and wife, Betty Lou, were awarded Moore-Stone Award proclaiming them as members of the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame.

Jimmy had multiple hobbies and interests during his lifetime including photography, hiking and running. A number of his photographs are cherished by family and friends. He participated in numerous road races and marathons including the Boston (five times), New York City, London, Berlin, Athens (twice), and Marine Corps (twice) Marathons. In 1986, he was recognized as the Gulf Winds Track Club Male Runner of the Year.

Jimmy was an active Lifetime Christan. As a child he was raised Greek Orthodox. As an adult he and his wife were Episcopalians and raised their children as such. At various times, Jimmy served as a lay reader, cup bearer, Sunday School teacher, Vestry Member, Senior Warden, and bible study discussion leader.

James Joanos - retired local lawyer, judge and FSU 'super fan' - dies at 89
'He was what any good judge should aspire to be,' one local lawyer said.

James E. Joanos - a local lawyer and later judge who was a Florida State athletics "super fan" and FSU Hall of Famer - died in Tallahassee on Saturday. He was 89.

As veteran Tallahassee attorney Don Hinkle put it, "He was what any good judge should aspire to be."

Joanos, a Tallahassee native, graduated from Leon High and Florida State University, did three years in the Air Force, then went to Yale Law School, returning to his hometown to practice law.

He became a circuit judge and appellate judge, eventually rising to chief judge of the Tallahassee-based 1st District Court of Appeal. He later retired to private practice with the Akerman law firm here.

Joanos "earned his B.S. in government and public administration from FSU in 1956, and was a member of the track team and a student body leader," according to the Florida Bar News. "He was instrumental in the establishment of FSU's College of Law, where he also served as adjunct professor for more than 20 years, and (was) past president of the FSU Alumni Association."

He had some brief experience with the Legislature, serving as general counsel for the Florida House of Representatives Government Organization and Efficiency Committee in 1968-71, according to Florida Memory.

He and wife Betty Lou, both of whom Democrat sports editor Jim Henry once described as the "consummate Super Seminole couple," met at FSU and were "married the same day Betty Lou turned in her last FSU paper."

As Henry recounted in 2015, when the couple was presented the university's prestigious Moore-Stone Award at a Hall of Fame induction, both had become "life members of the Alumni Association, Golden Chiefs in the Seminole Boosters, Presidents Club members at the FSU Foundation" and were listed among FSU's 100 Distinguished Graduates.

"Judge Joanos and Betty Lou were (among) the first people to welcome my wife Laura and I to Tallahassee and we value their friendship," FSU Vice President and Athletics Director Michael Alford told the Democrat.

"Their love for our Seminole student athletes is so special and they have made an impact on so many through the years," he added. "They exemplify what being a Seminole fan is all about. We will miss him."

Those who practiced with or appeared before him extolled Joanos (who pronounced his name "Jonas") as a paragon of "a scholar and gentleman."

"His demeanor, integrity, and intelligence, coupled with humility and common sense, made him a great judge, and even better person," Hinkle told the Democrat on Sunday.

Also, "he had a fairy tale marriage with Betty Lou. They were inseparable," Hinkle added. "She came to all the baseball games to be with him, but would often sit quietly reading a good book while he watched the game."

Circuit Judge John Cooper of Tallahassee recalled getting to know him in the 1970s at the old F&T Restaurant on Monroe Street downtown. The eatery was the lunchtime haunt of many lawyers, judges and lawmakers, with even the occasional appearance of a governor.

"He might've been the nicest judge that I ever appeared in front of," Cooper said in a phone interview. "I have to be honest with you, I don't know that I've ever heard a lawyer say anything negative about Judge Joanos."

He last saw Joanos at a local restaurant a few weeks ago where a bunch of lawyers, law professors and others would have a regular lunch get-together: "I hadn't seen him for a number of years. But he remembered everybody's name. When I walked in, he said, 'Hey, John, how are you doing?' He was that kind of person."

The judge also had a sly sense of humor, Cooper explained: "There was a story that once during a trial, one of the lawyers said, 'Judge, the lawyer on the other side told me he's going to hit me if I ask (a particular) question one more time.' And Judge Joanos said, 'Well, don't ask that question.' "

Cooper said he once asked him about the anecdote. Joanos just smiled and said it was "mostly true."

Judge James Joanos (B.S. '56)

James Joanos, honored posthumously, was a veteran attorney, judge and devoted alumnus of FSU. A Tallahassee native, he graduated from Leon High School, and earned a B.S. in government and public administration from FSU; as a student, he served as a student body leader and member of the FSU Varsity Club (Track). He served three years in the Air Force, then went to Yale Law School before returning to his hometown to practice law. He became a trial judge on the Second Judicial Circuit of Florida for eight years. Eventually, he rose to chief judge of Florida's First District Court of Appeal, serving there for two decades. In 2000, Joanos retired to private practice. He was instrumental in establishing FSU's College of Law, where he also served as an adjunct professor for over 20 years. In 1970, he served as president of the FSU Alumni Association. Later, he received nearly every honor a volunteer can receive from FSU, including the FSU Alumni Association's Circle of Gold - an award he helped create to honor alumni of merit who, by their service and accomplishments, embody the esteemed tradition of excellence at the university. In 2005, he was honored with The Bernard F. Sliger Award, and in 2015, Joanos and his wife Betty Lou received the Moore-Stone Award at the Hall of Fame induction. They were both members of the Bowden Society during his lifetime, and Betty Lou continues to be an active member.

Delivered by Douglas Mannheimer at Saint John's Episcopal Church in Tallahassee, Fla.

My name is Douglas Mannheimer and I've known Jim and Betty Lou though our community and St. Johns for more than 50 years.

It was an honor when Jim and Betty Lou asked me to speak for him today.

Jim Joanos was a wonderful child of Tallahassee.

The best of Tallahassee. A Renaissance Man.

And a Life So VERY well Lived.

Jimmy was the son of Emmanuel and Theologia Joanos and grew up helping his Dad at the Carousel Restaurant, one block away on Monroe Street.

When he went to Sunday School and Church, it was in this Episcopal Church which opened its doors to our wonderful Greek Orthodox Community, before it had its own church.

And little Jimmy would one day return thanks, when he became Senior Warden at St. Johns.

When Jimmy walked up Monroe Street he was surrounded by a marvelous part of Tallahassee, the Gavalas', Patronis', Petrandis', Talantis', Koikas', Kalfas', Coumechis', Strauss', Fortunas, and so many others.

He could stop in for a bite to eat at the Seven Seas, F&T or M&N and never really leave family.

And he was so rightfully proud of his Greek heritage.

When Jimmy went to Leon High School, he did it all. Ran track, football team, Class President, Honor Society....

And when the Faculty selected the school's True Gentleman, they were right in choosing Jim Joanos.

As a young teen-ager, Jim attended FSU's first football game in 1947 at Centennial Field (today the Cascades) and the first basketball game at the old Dale Mabry Field Gym. More would come from that.

For college, Jim took a right off Monroe Street on College Avenue and ventured to FSU. Florida State was a wonderland for him. He was President of the Sigma Chis, with a lifetime of dedication to follow. President of the Student Senate, the Interfraternity Council, and ODK. Sports Editor the student newspaper. He ran track but said he wasn't very good. I think that was because the Lord had so many other things for him to be good at.

But the most important activity in College, was meeting Betty Lou Whittle from Quincy at a summer rush event.

If ever there really was a Match Made in Heaven, it was Jim and Betty Lou. They say that Opposites Attract. Not in this case. They were both energetic, friendly, humble, brilliant, dedicated and gentle.

Think about it. You never heard just "Jim" or just "Betty Lou." It was always Jim AND Betty Lou.

They were married the day after Betty Lou turned in her last term paper.

Jim was off with Betty Lou for his three years of service in the US Air Force. It took the military to keep them away from FSU.... for a little while.

And then there was Law School. Not just any Law School. They were off to the Yale Law School.

Soon there was a young family. Nothing was more important to Jim and Betty Lou than family. He was so proud of the twins, Julie and Janet, and soon Jamie. They did everything with and for their children.

Jim wasn't just a Dad helping with Scouting. No, he won Scoutings' highest volunteer honor, the Silver Beaver Award.

And when FSU won the right to play in the first Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Jim and Betty Lou took the air-fare money and piled everyone into the station wagon and drove to Arizona. But that was a minor family trip.

They met Jim's goal of taking his family to ALL FIFTY STATES. Jimmy didn't set easy goals..., but he met them.

The family home was eventually built on ... where else ... Seminole Drive.

After 8 years of judicial clerkship and private practice, the People Called Jim Joanos to serve on the Judiciary... for 30 years.

Criminal Court Judge, Circuit Court Trial Judge and then our First District Court of Appeals, becoming Chief Judge and President of the Florida Conference of District Court of Appeal Judges.

Two lawyers captured the essence of his exemplary service as a Judge.

Attorney Don Hinkel said, "His demeanor, integrity, and intelligence, coupled with humility and common sense, made him a great judge, and an even better person."

Judge John Cooper said, "He might have been the nicest judge that I ever appeared in front of. I don't think that I have every heard a lawyer say anything negative about Judge Joanos."

Whether you were from New York, Miami, Golden Eagle or Midway, if you appeared before Judge Joanos, you knew that you would be treated with courtesy, fairness, and an unusual mix of intelligence and common sense... and most of all... a desire for Justice.

***In short, he was everything that we could hope for in a Judge.***

Jimmy's Civic Service in Tallahassee was legendary. President of the Jaycees and the Chamber of Commerce, coached youth baseball, was Senior Warden at this Church, and helped found Springtime Tallahassee and LeMoyne.

I am not sure that he Slept.

After 30 years of judicial service, Jim continued private appellate practice.

But there wasn't ever really any Retirement.

He took up Photography and loved capturing for us all the beauty of his Lord's creations, from Flowers to Lighthouses. And he enjoyed framing and giving those stunning photographs to Friends.

He and Betty Lou took up Running in their 40's. No, they didn't just Jog. They Both ran Marathons. Jimmy ran in 22 Marathons including the original course in Greece, ran the Boston Marathon 5 times and ran marathons in New York, London, Paris and Berlin.

Jim was the Gulf Winds Track Club Male Athlete of the Year.

**And then there was FSU.... ****

Jim Joanos helped found the Law School. He was President of the National Alumni Association, taught at the Law School, won the Sliger Award for Lifetime Alumni Service and was a Golden Chief.

He won the Circle of Gold Award for Alumni and then he Wrote the Criteria for Circle of Gold to make sure that it was Awarded Fairly.

His "Garnet and OLD" stories in newspapers and magazines Chronicled the glory and joy of FSU, its teams and its supporters.

I have served with Jim for more than 35 years on the Athletics Hall of Fame and Recognition Committee. Jim didn't just show up at the meeting to vote.

No, he sent us all Fact-based Biographies of student athletes. When we recommended teams for Reunions, he had a chart to make sure that we had given everyone a chance to be honored over time.

He wrote our criteria for Jersey Retirements and Legacy Walk recognition. He wanted us to make judgements fairly, just as he had done.

Last week he emailed us his 2024 work.

Jim Joanos worked with Bob Perrone to gather the records of Every student athlete for all sports in FSU's history, and the Records for every Game and Match ever played since FSU's founding in 1947. Their Online work records the achievements of more than 11,000 student athletes and continues every day.

No other University in the nation has this.

With all the Service to FSU, I think that he enjoyed most just being a Fan.

I am sure that No One Has Ever attended more FSU sporting events than Jim Joanos and Betty Lou... So Betty Lou, you are now the Reigning Record Holder.

Jim proudly wore his authentic Seminole Tribal Jacket when he cheered for the Seminoles.

And Not Just the Men's Teams. Jim was so Proud of the development of Women's Athletics at FSU. He was there for Coaches Sue, Brooke, Joanne, Lonnie, Cecile and all our Women.

Jim was Happy that FSU's song didn't boast about being " the Boys from old Florida", but proud that We sing "a song for the men AND women bold."

Andy Miller said that Jim and Betty Lou were FSU's Best Ambassadors......FSU's Lifetime First Couple. He was Right.

Jim was inducted in the FSU Athletics Hall of Fame, appropriately, with Betty Lou; the First Couple to receive this honor together.

Regardless of all the leadership and all the positions, my wife Cricket said that Jim Joanos had "mastered the Art of Conversation... and Listening."

   Date    Opponent/Meet                  Event                         Place      Results       Points   Comment
---------- ------------------------------ ----------------------------- ----- ------------------ ------ ---------------