Judge James E. Joanos

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.
A memorial service will be held at St. John's Episcopal Church at 4:00PM on Friday, January 26, 2024, with a reception immediately following in Alfriend Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. John's Episcopal Church, 211 N. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32301 or The Joanos Family Legacy Scholarship c/o the FSU Alumni Association, 1030 W. Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304.
Rocky Bevis and Kelly Barber of Bevis Funeral Home (850-385-2193 or www.bevisfh.com) are assisting the Joanos family with their arrangements.