James S. Konduros was born August 18, 1931, in Anderson, SC, to parents Georgia Antonakos and Sam Konduros. He graduated from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1954 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. He served for two years at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA, as Base Information Officer before being honorably discharged in 1956.
Jim’s legal and public service career spanned more than five decades. He served as Legislative Assistant to U.S. Sen. Olin D. Johnston during the early 1960s, where he became involved in the nation’s “War on Poverty” initiatives. He returned to South Carolina in 1966 to join Gov. Robert E. McNair’s leadership team during one of the most turbulent eras in modern American history. He often recalled the significance of that time, including a memorable meeting alongside Gov. McNair with civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Sr., aimed at improving race relations in the state. Years later, Konduros was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of South Carolina alongside U.S. Rep. John Lewis – a fitting moment of recognition for a life intertwined with historic progress.
During his tenure as director of the Appalachia Commission for South Carolina, he played a vital role in constructing the 72-mile Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC Hwy 11). He later helped establish the Appalachia Community Service Network, an educational cable channel that laid the groundwork for what would become The Learning Channel (TLC). He was elected to the founding board of TLC and served until its sale to the Discovery Channel.
After Gov. McNair left office in 1971, Jim joined him as co-founder of what would become the McNair Law Firm. He led the governmental affairs division and managed the firm’s Washington, D.C. office. His notable legal work included advising Westinghouse in its successful bid to operate the Savannah River Site and serving as senior counsel to Charles Beaman, CEO of Palmetto Health, during the merger that created the health care system now known as Prisma Health Midlands.
In the later phase of his career, Jim turned to philanthropy, becoming president of the PSARAS Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting education and community services in South Carolina. Through this foundation, he helped establish the Robert E. McNair Scholarship Program at Francis Marion University, which supports rural leadership and public health efforts along the I-95 corridor – one of the state’s most underserved regions. The scholarship fully funds students’ education, including tuition, housing, and living expenses.
He also championed South Carolina’s First Steps program, a groundbreaking early childhood education initiative, and was recognized in 2010 by the South Carolina House of Representatives for his visionary contributions through PSARAS.
Jim later founded the Konduros Fisherman’s Fund, inspired by the proverb “Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” In 2012, the fund partnered with the Rachel Hodges Leadership Institute to train more than 350 American Red Cross executives in leadership and disaster response. In 2014, the fund made a $2.15 million gift to the University of South Carolina School of Law to support scholarships, military veterans, and the Konduros Leadership Development Program, which prepares law students for careers in public service. In 2019, the USC School of Law honored his legacy by dedicating the James S. Konduros Courtyard.
A devoted member of Columbia’s Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, he cochaired the $2 million campaign to build a new Hellenic Center Parish Hall. His civic leadership earned him numerous accolades, including South Carolina’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Palmetto, and an honorary doctorate from Francis Marion University.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he was an avid golfer and a former member of the USC Golf Team. He once led the Windsor (Canada) Open as an amateur and proudly played Augusta National’s famous “Amen Corner” one stroke under par.
James S. Konduros died on March 13, 2020. He is survived by his spouse, Kathy Huggins Konduros; children, Dr. Gregory J. Konduros (Cindy), Samuel J. Konduros (Aphrodite), Gia T.C. Diamaduros (Pete); grandchildren, Konstantine Diamaduros (Megan), Ann M. Wooten (Jay), Elee Diamaduros McCloskey (Tommy), Gregory Konduros, Henry S.K. Duffee, Jr., (Staci), Gwyn K. Duffee; great-grandchildren, James I. Wooten, IV, Amelia J. Diamaduros, Peter B. Diamaduros, Henry S.K. Duffee, III and Mary Grace Duffee; and former daughter-in-law, Gracelyn D. Elmendorf (Peter). He was preceded in death by his son, Henry “Skipper” S.K. Duffee, Sr., and a grandson, Robert H.K. Duffee.