LONG BEACH, Calif.—Donald Walton Bloeser, who owned what is considered to be the oldest floor covering dealership in California, died Aug. 23, one week shy of his 92nd birthday.

John Bloeser Carpet One was founded by Bloeser’s grandfather, John, in 1879. Donald Bloeser took over following the death of his father, also named John, in 1940, operating the company in partnership with his mother, Mary. Donald Bloeser spent 50 years running the company with the help of his sons, John and Jerry.

Bloeser would often go into large buildings in downtown Los Angeles and pitch his product. He not only sold his carpet but also worked as the company’s warehouseman, installer, cleaner and bookkeeper. For many years he was the sole proprietor doing all of this himself.

With Bloeser and his two sons at the helm, the carpet business expanded into Long Beach, Costa Mesa, Downey and Fullerton. The three also owned Fish Tale Seafood Restaurant, which sits next to the carpet company’s Long Beach office.

Aside from his industriousness, Bloeser was a “people person,” Jerry Bloeser said. He was an avid gardner, coin collector and do- t-yourself handyman who took pride in working hard, his son said. As Bloeser got older, he kept active by playing the organ and enrolling in community college courses. He spent eight years as a tour and travel guide.

Bloeser was active in the community. He was a member of the Free Masons Lodge 278 and was also a Rotarian and involved with the YMCA, the Boy Scouts of America, Meals on Wheels, the Shriners and Scottish Rite.

He was born in 1914 and grew up in Brentwood, but he also spent much of his childhood in Catalina, where the family still owns one of the oldest houses on the island.

Bloeser was predeceased by his wife, Ella Wheeler Bloeser. He is survived by his sons, John and Jerry, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Catalina Island Museum, P.O. Box 366, Avalon, Calif. 90704, attention Marti.