Stormy Kromer Names Jim Dehlin as 2012 Living Legend — With Darn Good Reason

The legend of Stormy Kromer began with a unique cap design in 1903.  Over the course of more than 100 years, Stormy Kromer Mercantile has continued to produce the iconic cap, and has also expanded the brand and product line.

In the spirit of George “Stormy” Kromer and the perseverance of Jacquart Fabric Products, who in 2001, brought the Stormy Kromer cap back from the brink of extinction, the company launched a search to award the first of what will become an annual Living Legend award. 

The search kicked off in October 2011 with a call for entries.  After narrowing down the impressive pool of entrants, ten finalists were selected in November, and online voting began.

On January 9, Jim Dehlin of Roscommon, Michigan was named Stormy Kromer’s first Living Legend.  As the winner, Jim not only receives another accolade to add to his impressive biography, but will be featured as a Living Legend in the 2012 Stormy Kromer catalog and can enjoy spending a $500 gift certificate for a Stormy Kromer shopping spree.  In addition, Stormy Kromer is donating a percentage of all online sales from January 9 – 31 to Homes for our Troops, Jim’s charity of choice.

“I am honored to be the recipient of the inaugural Stormy Kromer Living Legend award. To be included in such an elite group of finalists has been a humbling experience. I am blessed in my life to have my family and friends who have always supported me,” said Jim Dehlin, the inaugural Living Legend Award Recipient. “I am especially thankful to my son Jesse, who honored me as his Dad by nominating me. Many thanks to Stormy Kromer and all who voted,” Dehlin added.

Just what makes Jim Dehlin a Living Legend?  According to his son, Jesse, he is a hero, and not only in his son’s eyes, but also those of the U.S. Army.  In 1969, while serving in Vietnam, Jim lost both of his legs after stepping on a land mine.  However, as his nomination reads “what he has accomplished since then, looks more like somebody’s bucket list than somebody sporting a wheelchair.”  From running with the bulls to any type of skiing (snow or water) and even serving as a volunteer firefighter, you could say Jim is a rock star, especially since he even appears in the music video Something to Believe In by the band Poison. 

But Jim’s extra curricular activities are really just the tip of the iceberg for this avid hunter and outdoorsman, he has not only found a way to participate in all of the things he is interested in or try new things, but also encourage and inspire others to pursue their passions and follow their dreams.

As son Jesse, so eloquently said when nominating his dad: “He has sought out roles in life where he could make a positive impact on people's lives - from small impacts as the head coach of my little league teams, to a larger impact as a university professor where he continued to inspire young people to achieve their goals in life. He is proof that with the proper outlook on life, any obstacle can be overcome, anything can be achieved. Every day he inspires people, because if a guy with no legs can do it, so can you.”

Stormy Kromer couldn’t be more excited to honor Jim Dehlin with the very first Living Legend Award.  While happy to see Jim sporting a camouflage Stormy Kromer cap in his nomination photo, everyone at Stormy Kromer is quite simply proud to know and honor him.