Obituary of Robert J. Belton

Robert James Belton, Sr., 70, passed away due to Lewy Body Dementia on July 31, 2014, in Olympia, Washington. He was born January 12, 1944, to Robert Anthony and Mayetta Marie (Armsbury) Belton in Denver, Colorado. In 1962, after the death of her first husband, Mayetta married James Eugene Rodgers of Denver, Colorado. Robert attended Saint Joseph’s High School in Denver, and Lakewood High School in Lakewood, Colorado. He married Claudia Rae Ham on May 5, 1962 in Denver. Over the years, Robert lived in Los Angeles, California (1979-1980 and 1983-2002); Dallas, Texas (1981-1983); Denver (1944-1966, 1967-1979 and 1980-1981); and Olympia (1966-1967 and 2002-2014). Robert served proudly in the United States Navy, May 1961 to January 1965, and United States Naval Reserve, January 1965 to May 1967. He rose to the rank of Photographers Mate Second Class (PH2) and Aircrewman (AC) at active duty stations in California and Hawaii. His final active duty unit assignment was Utility Squadron One (VU-1), Naval Air Station (NAS) Barbers Point, Hawaii. He served during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War, and received several medals, decorations and commendations before he was honorably discharged. Robert was vice president, department head, executive producer, producer, director, cameraman, photographer and photographic technician for television/radio advertising firms, production companies and documentary films. He also was an aerial photographer and photographic laboratory technician for Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). He received several awards and honors. Robert loved spending time with his grandchildren, sailing, photography and the natural environment. Robert was very devoted to his family. He is survived by his wife, Claudia Belton of Olympia; sons, Robert Belton, Jr. of Marquette, Michigan, and Joseph Belton of San Diego, California; daughter, Michele Belton of Olympia; grandchildren, Niall, Noelani and Mary; and sisters, Mary Scheidt-McCleod of Westminster, Colorado, and Margaret Suvada of Conifer, Colorado. His sister, Roberta Fox of Denver, passed away in 1969. He was well loved by all who knew him, and will be greatly missed. Please leave memories of Robert or condolences for his family in the Guestbook below.