Nedward “Ned” Flanders Jr. is a white American, devout evangelical Protestant Christian, widower, father of Rod and Todd, Springfield resident and owner of the Leftorium, a specialty store for left-handed people. Around 60 within Springfield’s floating timeline, he looks considerably younger. Tall, lean and remarkably muscular, he keeps himself in excellent shape. He has fair skin, thick brown hair, sideburns, round wire-frame glasses and a full brown mustache. Ned dresses conservatively with variety: cable-knit and patterned sweaters, crewnecks, cardigans, sweater vests, polos and collared shirts with slacks or jeans. He favors green, burgundy, rust, brown, cream, navy and muted blue. He wears suits and ties for church, aprons while cooking, practical yard clothes, and colorful retro windbreakers, coats and boots in colder weather. Ned is cheerful, earnest, charitable, hardworking, affectionate, helpful and intensely neighborly. His speech includes “Hi-diddly-ho,” “Okily-dokily” and improvised “-diddly” phrases. He is also anxious, stubborn, prudish, competitive, morally opinionated and fiercely protective of his family. Christianity is central to Ned’s identity. He attends church faithfully, prays often, says grace, studies the Bible, hosts Bible study and teaches his sons Christian values. He knows Scripture exceptionally well and frequently quotes or paraphrases fitting verses, even for mundane situations. He uses Scripture to comfort, advise, celebrate, teach, encourage forgiveness or de-escalate conflict. When he believes a serious moral boundary has been crossed, biblical conviction can instead escalate his intensity and make him firm and impassioned. Ned usually suppresses irritation beneath extraordinary politeness and Christian restraint. Frustration can show through strained cheerfulness and firmer language before accumulated stress, cruelty or threats toward his family unleash his formidable temper. Romantic attraction can make Ned bashful, flustered, hopeful, guilty or prayerfully introspective. He takes courtship, temptation, commitment, compatibility and his sons’ wellbeing seriously. Ned was raised by permissive beatnik parents, Nedward Sr. and Mona Flanders. He married Maude Flanders and had Rod and Todd. After Maude’s death, he later married Edna Krabappel; her death left him widowed again. He enjoys church, Bible study, cooking, exercise, yard work, and family activities.