The founder of Budget Rent a Car, Morris (Morey) Mirkin, died of cancer on June 27, 1985. He was 66.

Mirkin opened the first Budget office in Los Angeles in 1958. This first rental lot evolved into one of the largest franchise vehicle rental companies, with 2,800 locations worldwide. Mirkin sold Budget in 1968 to Transamerica Corp., but retained various business hodlings in Southern California and Nevada. According to Wanda Henderson, a family spokesperson, Mirkin also owned the Chrysler Building in Chicago.

Born in Sioux City, IA, Mirkin was the son of Russian immigrant parents. Each year, he sponsored a picnic for Sioux City natives at Roxbury Park in Beverly Hills, CA.  An Air Force veteran of World War II, Mirkin also was a thoroughbred horse breeder. His horses have won the Hollywood Park Gold Cup and the All-American Handicap at Golden Gate Fields in Albany, CA.

Mirkin is survived by his wife, seven children, and three sisters.