Nashville, Tenn.—Ed Kirkland began his 40-year career in the floor covering industry in the mid-1960s, when he sold rugs as a sideline to his assortment of hosiery products. An uncanny salesman, he plied his trade with eminent success until, while battling lung cancer, he died on May 15 of heart failure resulting from a spider bite. He was 75.

He was born in Prospect, Tenn., and moved here when he was 18. Early on he realized he enjoyed selling and decided to make it his life’s work. He was calling on department stores with his hosiery line, his bread-and-butter items, and showed a few rugs while he was there to supplement his income. Then, in 1967, his rug supplier abruptly closed his business and Kirkland had orders that needed to be filled. He went to Dalton looking for someone to help him. And that changed his life.

He was given the name Ed Weaver and he made the trip to Eton, Ga., to look for the man who might supply the rugs he needed. At the time, Weaver was working for Coronet—making rugs. The men met and Kirkland explained his dilemma to Weaver and together they solved the problem and built a relationship that led to the formation of Diamond Carpet Mills. It started in Weaver’s “chicken house” where the first rugs were made and shipped, and all of Kirkland’s orders filled.

In 1970, Weaver launched Diamond Carpet Mills and Kirkland sold the first roll of carpet the company produced, and many, many more over the years as the mill prospered and grew. “My father was most proud of the relationship he established with Marv Berlin of New York Carpet World in 1971, which lasted for the duration of both companies and, personally, until Marv’s death in 1999,” said Eddie Kirkland of Kirkland Carpet & Flooring in Nashville.

Kirkland left Diamond in 1986, after 20 years, and joined his son’s flourishing retail operation. He worked there until he became seriously ill last year. “He was always optimistic, always talking about returning to the office,” said his son, who also has stores in Brentwood and Franklin, Tenn.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jean; another son, Eric J. of Santa Monica, Calif.; daughter, Elaine K. Lee of Nashville; grandchildren, Elizabeth, Katherine and Katya Kirkland and Michael and Lauren Lee, and sisters Peggy Beasley of Pulaski, Tenn., and Polly Leopard of Athens, Ala.