Ralph Outlaw Walton, Jr., died April 17 in LaGrange, Ga.
After earning a degree in electrical engineering atAuburnUniversityin 1951, Walton served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps and then did classified work in nuclear weapons. He then held management positions at Westinghouse Electric for 15 years, while founding some successful agricultural-products businesses, notably Hamilton Sod.
In 1970 he formed a partnership with his brother-in-law Howard “Bo” Callaway, and purchased Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Walton moved to Crested Butte to manage the resort’s growth. He served twice as chairman of Colorado Ski Country USA and helped to pioneer direct-flight airline programs, bringing major-market skiers directly toGunnisonand on to Crested Butte.
Seth Masia
Seth Masia is the online editor for the International Skiing History Association. He began skiing at Chamonix in the summer of 1968 and joined the staff of SKI Magazine in 1974. He now teaches skiing at Vail (see Ski Younger Now). In real life he is editor of SOLAR TODAY magazine.
