Fabric Jobber Sam Kasmir Recalled

By Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 1/14/2008 12:00:00 AM

Dallas —

Services were held here Dec. 28 for Sam Kasmir, who died Dec. 24 after a long illness.

Kasmir, the head of Kasmir Fabrics, a major decorative fabrics jobber, was 60. He was the second generation of the firm that was started by his father, Frank Kasmir.

For Jeff Thomases, ceo of Swavelle/Mill Creek: "Although I knew him mostly from a business perspective, he was always ornery on the outside and a very kind, charitable human being with a big heart. He had a very dry sense of humor and was very demanding. We've lost an important person in the business."

"From a friend's standpoint, he was a great friend; he would give you the shirt off his back," said Tom Hilb, ceo of Heritage House. "And in business, he was the same way. He was very helpful when I first started in business in advice and counsel. But in business, his negotiations were always about winning and losing — he always was winning, he was the smartest businessman I ever dealt with."

Steve Fanning, vp of Richloom Fabrics Group remarked, "Sam was passionate — about his business and private life. He was never content to sit back and do the status quo."

Fanning added, "He was very strong in the financial aspects of the business and had a good eye for product."

Kasmir is survived by his wife, Linda, three sons, two granddaughters and his mother.

Donations may be made to the Kasmir Family Scholarship Fund at Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Road, Dallas, TX, 75244, or a charity of your choice.