James P. “Jim” Jones, a retired Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Department of History who fascinated generations of Florida State University students with his astonishing knowledge of the American Civil War and World War II, died Saturday. He was 89. 

Jones began his teaching career at Florida State in 1957 as a “temporary acting instructor,” and over the next 57 years taught history to more than 21,000 FSU students. 

“We are so grateful to Dr. Jim Jones, a most beloved member of the FSU community,” said Sally McRorie, provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “His half century of gifted teaching and dedicated mentorship of students from across our campus, not to mention his research and scholarship, will be a difficult standard for any of our colleagues to meet. He is missed every day on campus and is remembered every day by his former students and colleagues.” 

Jones chaired the Department of History for seven years and served as a member of the Faculty Athletics Board for 17 years, including five as chair.