James "Jim" Llorens

James Lee “Jim” Llorens, 79, passed away surrounded by his family on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, after courageously battling health conditions related to his recent diagnosis of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). He was born in Alexandria, LA, on January 4, 1947, the sixth child of Manuel “Bill” and Hilda Ray Llorens. Jim was a loyal graduate of St. James Catholic School where he attended from 1st through 12th grade. He received his B.A. from Loyola University in New Orleans, his Masters in Urban Affairs from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Ph.D. in Political Science from Louisiana State University. While he was a lifelong learner and advocate of higher education, Jim would fondly point out that some of his greatest life lessons were picked up while spending time with the patrons that frequented his father’s bar and pool hall down the street from his childhood home. In his spare time, he could often be found quietly completing a good crossword puzzle or immersed in one of the many library books he always kept by his side. Jim first met his loving wife of 57 years, Glenda Darensbourg Llorens, while visiting his sister in Baton Rouge, LA. They started dating soon after she moved to New Orleans for college and married two years later in 1968. After briefly living in Milwaukee, WI and New Orleans, LA, they returned to Baton Rouge in 1975 where they raised their family. Truly inseparable, it was a rare occurrence to find one without the other, and throughout their years together they enjoyed traveling, spending quality time with family, and attending community events throughout the city. A consummate public servant and educator, Jim’s life was lived with honesty, humility and a commitment improving the lives of those around him. Following his tour of duty during the Vietnam War as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army, he worked in public service roles in Milwaukee and New Orleans before taking a position with the City of Baton Rouge. He was honored to serve in leadership roles under three Mayor-Presidents during his career and found true joy in working with students during his decades of service as a faculty member and administrator at Southern University and A&M College. Later in his career, after a few halfhearted attempts to retire, he served as the founding President of Cristo Rey High School in Baton Rouge and Interim Provost of Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers, FL. Service and mentorship were at the core of Jim’s being and he lived his life by the quote from French Jesuit priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin that also served as his email signature line - “The future belongs to those who give the next generation reason for hope.” Jim is preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, and siblings Manuel Paul Llorens, Jerome Llorens, and Shirley L. Dejan. He is forever cherished by his wife, Glenda; son, Jared Llorens (Elizabeth); daughter, Raya Moore (Derrick); granddaughters, Clare Route, Lloren Moore, Andi James Moore, Ella Llorens, and Rita Llorens; sisters, Gloria L. Collins and Marion L. Thompson; sisters-in-law, Beverly D. Llorens, Edna Louise D. Llorens, Alva Jean D. Chase, and Phyllis F. Darensbourg; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members and lifelong friends. Visitation will be held at Greenoaks Funeral Home, 9595 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, on Thursday May 7, 2026, from 8am until religious services at 11am. Burial will immediately follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations to Hospice of Baton Rouge, 3600 Florida Blvd., Baton Rouge, LA, 70806.