Headlines

‘Eyeglass Store Pioneer’ Dies at 84

He founded Eyear 1 Hour Optical Inc. in Tennessee.

Published

5 years ago

August 21, 2019

INVISION Staff

Jim Crittenden, founder of Eyear 1 Hour Optical Inc. in Tennessee, has died, Chattanoogan.com reports.

He was 84.

The website described Crittenden as an “eyeglass store pioneer” for starting the state’s first one-hour eyewear superstore more than six decades ago.

He was well-known for his marketing antics, such as dying his beard purple for a TV commercial.

According to Chattanoogan.com, Crittenden’s business was the first of its kind to advertise in the state, following a legal victory in the Tennessee Supreme Court.

Crittenden was also an owner of the Lookouts minor league baseball team for several years, and helped bring the team back to Chattanooga in the 1970s.

Read more at Chattanoogan.com

Related Topics:obituary

INVISION Staff

Since launching in 2014, INVISION has won 31 international journalism awards for its publication and website, including the prestigious Neal Award for Best Single Issue in 2019. In 2024, the publication celebrates its 10th anniversary of serving eyecare professionals. Contact INVISION's editors at editor@invisionmag.com.

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