From the Arizona Daily Star
Robert Mr. “Old Tucson” Shelton took his last ride and had his final “it’s a wrap” on December 15, 2016. He walked this earth for almost 96 years before dying of natural causes. He was born to Rose and George in Columbus, Ohio on March 21, 1921. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn; his children, Candace (Ginger), Robert Jr. (Janet) and Stacy Ruppert; grandchildren, Ashley, Brittany and Chase Ruppert; Robbe and Chad Shelton.
As an infant he moved to Kansas City, MO where he grew up, worked and married. He developed country clubs in the mid-west before moving to Tucson in 1958 to develop Old Tucson. In the 60’s, 70’s and mid 80’s, he turned the old western town into the second largest tourist attraction in Arizona next to the Grand Canyon. He added a sound stage to Old Tucson that brought movies and economic prosperity to Southern Arizona. He called John Wayne, Paul Newman and Elizabeth Taylor friends among many others who starred and worked in the 330 movies that were shot at Old Tucson and Southern Arizona.
He served on many boards and was a past member of the Mountain Oyster Club, and Rotary International. He was always active in the Tucson community and the recipient of many awards and recognition for his contributions to the community. There will be a Celebration of his life Friday, January 28, 2017 at a time and location to be announced. The family asks if you want to make a remembrance in his name, please donate to ALOHA, the Adult Loss of Hearing Association, 4001 E. Ft. Lowell, Tucson, AZ 85712. www.alohaaz.org