James Concannon III

James M. Concannon III, died Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Topeka, Kansas. Jim was born in Columbus, Georgia, on October 2, 1947, to James and Mary Jane Concannon. Survivors include his spouse of 35 years, Melissa Porter Masoner, PhD; their son Chris Masoner and spouse Michelle Masoner of Lenexa; three grandchildren: James, Paul, and Maggie; and numerous close friends, cousins, and colleagues. Jim hailed from Finney County, Kansas, in a rural area outside of Garden City that is now the site of the Concannon State Fishing Lake and Wildlife Area. He received the International DeMolay of the Year award in 1966. He was a Summerfield Scholar at Kansas University, graduating in 1968. He then attended KU Law School, graduating second in his class in 1971. He was a proud member of the Garden City High School Hall of Fame and received the Distinguished Alumni award from the University of Kansas School of Law. In the summer of 1972, Jim discovered he had a passion for teaching the law while an adjunct professor at Washburn Law School, and in 1973 he became a full-time faculty member. He would go on to teach at Washburn for nearly fifty years, including service as Dean of Washburn Law School from 1988 to 2001, and holding the title of The Senator Robert J. Dole Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus. Jim was a preeminent scholar on the subjects of Evidence, Civil Procedure, and Appellate Practice, teaching thousands of students, many of whom would go on to become distinguished lawyers in the State of Kansas, around the country, and indeed the world. As one former student commented, “He made learning the law interesting, challenging, and fun;” however, Jim is universally remembered by his students for the following advice: “Don’t think great thoughts, read the statute.” Jim’s lasting legacy is in the generations of Washburn lawyers he taught, but he will also be remembered for the book he wrote to commemorate the Centennial of Washburn Law School – “The Ideal Place . . . for the Establishment of a Great Law School: History of Washburn Law School, 1903-2003.” Jim’s service to the legal profession extended beyond Washburn. Since 1998, he has served as a Kansas delegate to the Uniform Law Commission—the national organization responsible for providing every US state and territory with non-partisan, well-conceived, and well-drafted model legislation that brings clarity and stability to critical areas of state statutory law. Jim’s great joy has been chairing the ULC’s Style Committee which revises every proposed model statute for clarity and consistency without altering its meaning or context. In 1997, Jim received the Kansas Supreme Court citation for contributions to the judiciary. In 2012, the Kansas Supreme Court awarded Jim its prestigious Justice Award, an award given infrequently to recognize the achievements of highly-deserving persons who have contributed significantly to the improvement of justice in Kansas. In recognizing Jim’s contributions, the Court noted, “He brought his trademark skill, tenacity, wit, and humor, always leaving behind a greatly improved work product and fostering a sense of collegiality.” Jim was a staunch defender of the rule of law, our constitutional democracy, and the checks and balances of the three branches of government. He was a strong advocate for the non-partisan selection of judges and keeping politics out of the courts. Jim will be remembered as a scholar, as a mentor, as a role model, as an advocate, as a steadfast friend. He served on many non-profit boards including Topeka Youth Project and Kansas Appleseed. Additional passions and pastimes included Nature, sports, and his home in the country. On Friday, July 21, following the dedication and tours of the new law school building on the Washburn campus, family and friends will host a community celebration of Jim’s Life and Legend from 5 to 7 pm, at the World Famous Topeka Zoo Japanese Garden. In recognition of his more than 50 years of service to Washburn University School of Law, friends and family respectfully suggest contributions to the Washburn Law School Foundation, designated to permanently endow the Law School Deanship in honor of James Concannon. Gifts may be made online at wualumni.org/givenow or by check (please include Concannon Legacy in the memo line of your check or gift giving reason online) to Washburn Law School Foundation, 1729 MacVicar Avenue, Topeka, KS, 66604. Condolences may be sent online to www.kevinbrennanfamily.com.

James Concannon III

October 2, 1947 - June 17, 2023