Garment Contractor Dies at 83
Margaret Walter, who started a Los Angeles sewing contracting business in 1960 with her husband, Frank, passed away on Aug. 25 after a sudden fall. She was 83.
Walter grew up in Georgia, attending the University of Georgia in Athens, where she worked on the school newspaper and was the first female editor. She graduated with a degree in journalism in 1945 and moved to California.
In 1960, she and her husband founded Frank Walter Sportswear Contractors Inc. at 801 S. Crocker St. in downtown Los Angeles.
Upon Frank’s death in 1980, Margaret became more active in the business. She was one of the early implementers of computer-assisted management.
She ran the business with her son Robert, daughter-in-law Jane and daughter Teresa until the business closed in 1997.
She was firmly dedicated to producing apparel in the United States, Robert said. She was active in the Garment Contractors Association of Southern California, serving on the board. She was also elected president of the organization in 1986. “She was a firm believer in providing jobs and upward mobility for workers,” Robert said. “She was dedicated toward helping sewing machine operators be well-paid and have health insurance. She was dedicated to treating people well.”
Walter is survived by her four children—Robert, Teresa, Ralph and Julia—and five grandchildren.
Funeral services were held at Hillside Memorial Park on Aug. 28.
The family requests donations be made to the Frank Walter Scholarship Fund, care of the Garment Contractors Association. Call (213) 629-4422 or visit www.garmentcontractors.org.—Deborah Belgum
