James E. Flory

James E. "Jim" Flory is a life-long resident of Douglas County. He began his education in a one room school at Lone Star, and thereafter attended and graduated from Wakarusa Valley Elementary School, West Junior High School, Lawrence High School, the University of Kansas, and the University of Kansas School of law.

In1968, Jim interrupted his education to enlist in the United States Air Force. He served four years as an Air Traffic Controller including a one-year tour of duty at DaNang Airfield, Republic of Vietnam.

Jim's professional career was devoted to law enforcement and prosecution. He served as a Deputy Sheriff in Douglas County while attending KU and KU Law School. After receiving his law degree, Jim served as an Assistant and Deputy Attorney General for the State of Kansas; was twice elected as District Attorney for Douglas County; and served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, First Assistant U.S. Attorney, and United States Attorney for the District of Kansas. Following his retirement from the United States Department of Justice, Jim successfully ran for Douglas County Commissioner in 2008 and 2012. After serving two four-year terms on the Board of County Commissioners, Jim retired in 2017, concluding 48 years of public service at the local, state, and federal level.

Jim and Donna Hewitt (LHS Class of 1966) were married in 1969 and have two adult daughters. Louise Flory (LHS Class of 1991) and her husband, Michael Brandt, live in New York City with their son Griffin James Brandt. Lisa Richardson (LHS Class of 1995) and her husband Zac live in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with their son Ellis Clinton Richardson. Jim and Donna are both retired and reside in Lawrence.