Changes

|birth_place=[[Macedonia]] (formerly [[Yugoslavia]]​)

|birth_place=[[Macedonia]] (formerly [[Yugoslavia]]​)

|death_date=May 18, 2023 (aged 84)

|death_date=May 18, 2023 (aged 84)

|resting_place=Riverview Cemetery in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]]

|death_place=[[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]], Louisiana

|spouse=Dale Guilkey Dimos​

|spouse=Dale Guilkey Dimos​

|children= John, Laura, Myra, and Christy​

|children=John Nicholas Dimos<br>

Laura D. Flynn<br>

Myra D. Zeringue<br>

Nick and Fanita Dimos

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]​

|occupation=[[Attorney]]​

|occupation=[[Attorney]]​

"This is a man who arrived alone in [[New York City]] at age 12 after a lonely flight from his home in [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]. He could not speak [[English]]. He would not see his mother for another six months when she would finally be allowed to come to America. In New York, this 12-year-old found that his continuing flights to Monroe,Louisiana, where his father waited, could not be completed for two more days. From this shaky start in this new world, Jimmy Dimos proceeded to learn English, put himself through high school, college and law school and serve three previous disntinguished terms in this House of Representatives. Yes, he is a man of courage -- a man of integrity, and a man who I am proud to nominate as Speaker. May we stand united. He and we who are committed to working toward those changes so desperately needed in this state will need your understanding, your guidance, you tolerance and . . . your prayers."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'', [[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7, pp. 190-191.</ref>​

"This is a man who arrived alone in [[New York City]] at age 12 after a lonely flight from his home in [[Belgrade]], [[Yugoslavia]]. He could not speak [[English]]. He would not see his mother for another six months when she would finally be allowed to come to America. In New York, this 12-year-old found that his continuing flights to Monroe,Louisiana, where his father waited, could not be completed for two more days. From this shaky start in this new world, Jimmy Dimos proceeded to learn English, put himself through high school, college and law school and serve three previous disntinguished terms in this House of Representatives. Yes, he is a man of courage -- a man of integrity, and a man who I am proud to nominate as Speaker. May we stand united. He and we who are committed to working toward those changes so desperately needed in this state will need your understanding, your guidance, you tolerance and . . . your prayers."<ref>[[Ron Gomez]], ''My Name Is Ron And I'm a Recovering Legislator: Memoirs of a Louisiana State Representative'', [[Lafayette]], [[Louisiana]]: Zemog Publishing, 2000, ISBN 0-9700156-0-7, pp. 190-191.</ref>​

In 1956, Dimos graduated from Neville High School in Monroe. In 1960, he received his bachelor's degree from the  [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]] (then Northeast Louisiana State College). In 1963, Dimos garnered a degree from the [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. The next year he was admitted to the bar and joined the McKeithen, Mouser and McKinley law firm. The "McKeithen" in the partnership was [[John J. McKeithen]] of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, who served as [[governor]] from 1964 to 1972.​<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url=http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict16.htm|title=Jimmy Dimos|publisher=enlou.com (website no longer on line.}}</ref>

In 1956, Dimos graduated from Neville High School in Monroe. In 1960, he received his bachelor's degree from the  [[University of Louisiana at Monroe]] (then Northeast Louisiana State College). In 1963, Dimos garnered a degree from the [[Tulane University]] Law School in [[New Orleans]]. The next year he was admitted to the bar and joined the McKeithen, Mouser and McKinley law firm. The "McKeithen" in the partnership was [[John J. McKeithen]] of Columbia in Caldwell Parish, who served as [[governor]] from 1964 to 1972.​<ref name=enlou>{{cite web|url=http://www.enlou.com/officeholders/housedistrict16.htm|title=Jimmy Dimos|publisher=enlou.com (website no longer on line)}}</ref>

Dimos is married to the former Dale Guilkey. They have four children — John, Laura, Myra, and Christy.​<ref name=enlou/> Before he entered the legislature, Dimos was the executive director from 1971 to 1972 of the Miss Louisiana Pageant. In his younger years, he was active in the Louisiana Jaycees. Thereafter, he was in the [[Chamber of Commerce]] and Rotary International. He is [[Episcopalian]].​<ref name=enlou/>

Dimos is married to the former Dale Guilkey. They have four children — John, Laura, Myra, and Christy.​<ref name=enlou/> Before he entered the legislature, Dimos was the executive director from 1971 to 1972 of the Miss Louisiana Pageant. In his younger years, he was active in the Louisiana Jaycees. Thereafter, he was in the [[Chamber of Commerce]] and Rotary International.​<ref name=enlou/>

​

​

Dimos has, however, been criticized by attorneys who claim that he is too quick to prejudge a case and that he often coerces one side into settling by threatening that party with an even bigger judgment if they proceed to "put on" their case.​

Dimos has, however, been criticized by attorneys who claim that he is too quick to prejudge a case and that he often coerces one side into settling by threatening that party with an even bigger judgment if they proceed to "put on" their case.​

"The law is a fascinating profession. ... You've got to enjoy it to be in it, and I enjoyed it," Dimos said. When he was asked what he would most miss about serving as a judge, Dimos told the ''Ouachita Citizen'' newspaper in West Monroe that he liked the interaction with attorneys and their clients, as well as the camaraderie with other judges. He also said that he enjoyed presiding over jury trials. Dimos said, however, that he "will not miss having to decide which parent gets custody of a child. I hate seeing those cases come to court, but sometimes it can't be avoided."​​

"The law is a fascinating profession. ... You've got to enjoy it to be in it, and I enjoyed it," Dimos said. When he was asked what he would most miss about serving as a judge, Dimos told ''The Ouachita Citizen'' newspaper in West Monroe that he liked the interaction with attorneys and their clients, as well as the camaraderie with other judges. He also said that he enjoyed presiding over jury trials. Dimos said, however, that he "will not miss having to decide which parent gets custody of a child. I hate seeing those cases come to court, but sometimes it can't be avoided."​​

In 2003, Dimos underwent treatment for [[cancer]] of the throat, but he was later declared cancer-free. He said that his health played no role in his decision to retire. "I love people.  I love to help them. I love to help them solve their problems. If you don't like doing that, you don't need to be in public service," he added. Dimos indicated that he would rejoin his former Monroe law firm—Brown, Erskine, and Burkett—on a reduced schedule.​

In 2003, Dimos underwent treatment for [[cancer]] of the throat, but he was later declared cancer-free. He said that his health played no role in his decision to retire. "I love people.  I love to help them. I love to help them solve their problems. If you don't like doing that, you don't need to be in public service," he added. Dimos indicated that he would rejoin his former Monroe law firm—Brown, Erskine, and Burkett—on a reduced schedule.​

Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Hawley, a Monroe investments broker and fellow Rotarian with Dimos, described the judge as "a really nice guy who has accomplished a lot, beginning with little, but great ethics and a work ethic. A classic American dream!"  Dimos is also a formidable poker player.​

Jeffrey L. "Jeff" Hawley, a Monroe investments broker and fellow Rotarian with Dimos, described the judge as "a really nice guy who has accomplished a lot, beginning with little, but great ethics and a work ethic. A classic American dream!"  Dimos was also a formidable poker player.​

Dimos left the bench on December 31, 2006, and was succeeded by Republican [[Scott Leehy]].​

Dimos left the bench on December 31, 2006, and was succeeded by Republican [[Scott Leehy]].​ In 2017, he was inducted into the [[Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame]] in Winnfield and the Louisiana Judicial Hall of Fame as well. He died in the spring of 2023 of cardiac arrest at the age of eighty-four. An [[Episcopalian]], he is interred at Riverview Cemetery in Monroe.<ref name=obit/>

==References==

==References==