Los Angeles—His career spanned seven decades and included the founding of several companies. His contributions to contract carpet were groundbreaking and changed the face of the business. His work ethic was impeccable, and his achievements were an inspiration to those around him. Jimmy Marcus worked until he was 95, and on Oct. 9, he died of natural causes at his home here—three weeks from his 103rd birthday.

In 1926 he accepted a job from the John D. Harris Co., an im-porter of floor coverings, launching a 73-year industry career. In 1931, he joined Randolph Dodge, another flooring importer.

In the early 1940s, he entered manufacturing and formed Aldon Rug Mills, which produced bath mats and area rugs. Eventually, he developed a 54-inch wide machine to produce room-size rugs, and a 12-foot tufter to put Aldon in the broadloom business.

For more than 20 years the company prospered, and in the early 1960s he got involved with a new idea: In 1961, he founded Commercial Carpet Corp. (CCC) to tap into a market that was in its infancy, accounting for only 5% of the carpet industry. CCC produced a 54-inch woven nylon carpet bonded to sponge rubber, and he believed “it would outwear any carpet ever made.” Walt Disney Co. became one of his largest customers.

Marcus formed Viking Carpets and Robertson Carpets to sell to retailers. The three companies came under the corporate umbrella of Commercial Affiliates, which Marcus sold to Trend Mills. Shortly after, Marcus formed Commercial Flooring Associates, which has since become Contract Hospitality International.

In 1994, Marcus was inducted into the Industry Hall of Fame and, in 1999, at age 95 he retired for the third and final time.