James Hand

James Stanley Hand died at home on August 24, 2020. He was born to Nancy Walker Hand and Paul Frederick Hand on March 14, 1949, at Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York.

He attended college at UCLA, graduating with a B.A. degree in 1971. James married the love of his life, Gail Stewart, in June 1975, in West Los Angeles. The couple moved from there to Grand Forks, ND, 43 years ago.

James received his J.D. in 1980 from the University of North Dakota, and after passing the North Dakota Bar he practiced law for a few years. Most of his career was spent working for the U.S. Senate on behalf of Sen. Kent Conrad. During that time, he was most proud of serving local people following the devastating 1997 flood and then working with the Federal Emergency Management Agency a decade later on behalf of victims of the Northwood tornado. Jim was the first person Senator Conrad hired after his election and remained on staff from 1987 until the senator retired in January, 2013.

Jim, a gifted creative writer and avid photographer, was a studio member at Muddy Waters Clay Center in Grand Forks until his last illness made working with clay difficult. Throughout his life, Jim loved music and playing the piano.

Jim was also interested in family roots and the history of Martha’s Vineyard, where his ancestors lived for hundreds of years. He was besotted with his three grandkids and deeply proud of his two children, who were with him and Gail until the end.

Survivors include  Gail and children, Jordan Hand of Huntington Beach, CA, and Alison (Ryan) Lynch of Grand Forks,  and grandchildren, Emery Jordan Lynch, 7, Harper Alison Lynch, 5, and Briar James Lynch, 1. Survivors also include James’ siblings: Michael W. (Karen) Hand of South Weymouth, MA; Gregory M. (Nancy Schreiber) Hand of Princeton, NJ; and sister, Judith Hand, of Daytona Beach, Florida.

Because of the pandemic, no services will be held. Remembrances may be sent to the Altru Cancer Center, and the UCLA Foundation.