Vans Co-Founder James Van Doren Passes Away at 72

James Van Doren, who co-founded Vans in 1966 with the help of his brother Paul, passed away early last month at the age of 72. When the Van Doren brothers’ first samples released in the mid ’60s at their shop in Anaheim, the duo was dedicated to crafting a quality “bespoke” rubber-soled deck shoe that catered to a clientele that favored unconventional designs, patterns and funky aesthetics.

The now storied footwear company first rose to mainstream prominence when Sean Penn wore the signature checkerboard Slip-Ons in Fast Times at Ridgemont High in his role as Jeff Spicoli. A faithful supporter of the brand to the end, Van Doren is said to have worn a pair of the deck shoes every day until his passing on October 12th. Although Van Doren had been out of the business since the mid ‘80s, his passing leaves behind a legacy that is as timeless as his namesake sneaker brand.

Source: GQ