James "Jim" Howard Dysart

Jim was born September 19, 1950 in Denver, Colorado, to Blan and Dorothy Dysart. He was the youngest of the family with three older sisters. He grew up in Orlando with his Mom and sisters and attended Kaley Elementary School, Cherokee Junior High, and Boone High School.

He graduated from Florida State University in 1972 and worked as a probation and parole officer for three years. His desire to advocate for and help people before they entered the system led him to FSU’s College of Law, where he graduated and started his law career. He worked for the Leon County State Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee before moving to Tampa and working as Assistant Attorney General. His desire to be back in the courtroom led him to the Hernando County State Attorney’s Office in Brooksville, FL where he stayed for eight years and was twice nominated for County Judge by the Judicial Nominating Commission. He opened his own private practice and helped countless people in criminal defense and child dependency court. He was known by his friends and colleagues for his sense of fairness, kindness and his good humor. He retired in 2013.

While in law school, he met his wonderful wife Mary. They were married in 1978 and had three children together, Paul, Katie and Philip. Jim loved attending his kids’ Hernando Youth League games (and coaching for several years), dance recitals, band concerts, cross country meets and swim meets.

He loved spending time with his family and visiting with his grandchildren. He watched the news regularly and loved listening to The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and CCR. He enjoyed rooting for FSU football, the Tampa Bay Bucs and the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Hanna Dysart and his children, Paul Howard Dysart (L.A.), Katie Dysart Herdliska (Andy), and Philip Andrew Dysart (Allison); His sisters, Diane Cornibert (Marcel), Lynn Leventhal (Bob), and Marilyn Miller, and stepmother Traudi Dysart; His sister-in-law and brother-in-law Grace and Earl Chambers, and his brother-in-law, Matt Hanna; Seven grandchildren, Aaron Dysart, Aliza Dysart, Hanna Herdliska, Emilia Herdliska, Alaina Herdliska, Wesley Dysart, and Reese Dysart.

The Memorial Service for Jim will be held Friday, March 15th at 3pm at Windermere Union Church, located at 10710 Park Ridge Gotha Rd, Windermere, FL 34786.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Southern Scholarship Foundation.