Jim Cripe inducted into DLI Hall of Famer

WHAT MAKES A HALL OF FAMER??  One did not have to know Jim Cripe very long to learn.  After a successful career playing music professionally and selling large computers (as they all were back then), Jim was presented an opportunity to purchase a floundering dry cleaner in Temple, TX, in 1975 (Valet Cleaners).  He did so without the slightest knowledge of the industry, but his constant positive, and "can do" attitude would carry him to a lifetime of success in the industry. 

Jim was a true people person with a strong faith who understood, better than most, the value of meaningful relationships.  More importantly, he understood that learning and sharing go hand in hand.  He established himself as not only a successful dry cleaner, but a true ambassador for the small business owners in our industry.  He served on many boards, both locally and nationally, completing his service as President of DLI (IFI back then) in 2003.  He was instrumental in the formation of the DLI Certification programs, writing many of the test questions himself.  Jim loved to share his knowledge and experience and served as the instructor for maintenance at the Texas Research Center for Laundry and Dry Cleaning for many years before it was closed. 

Jim was also instrumental in the passing of the dry cleaner remediation fund legislation for the state of Texas.  The legislation was controversial at the time, as many believed it imposed an unnecessary "tax" on drycleaners for environmental contamination protection.  As time passed, the vision he and the others working with him had for the value of this protection was realized, and he always considered this one of his greatest accomplishments.

Jim's response in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina stands as one of the clearest examples of his generous heart and unwavering commitment to helping others.  After the storm devastated a fellow drycleaner's plant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, she was in a position to reopen but needed a commercial washing machine.  Richard Thum, who owned Marvel Manufacturing in San Antonio at the time, selflessly donated a brand new commercial washing machine to the member in distress.  Jim loaded is trailer on his pickup, drove 3 hours to San Antonio to load up the washing machine, and then drove it half way across the country to the coast of Mississippi and installed the machine by himself.  He did it because he loved helping others and his faith would always guide him to the best way he could accomplish that.

Jim was always gracious with his words and his time.  He always gave credit for his success to his Lord and Savior and his loving wife Cissy, whom he would always jokingly say was the only reason heaven would ever "let him in!"  Our industry was blessed to have him.