Richard Bruce Sheldon

Richard Bruce Sheldon, 73, died on Thursday, July 23, 2009, at his home in Prescott, Ariz., following a valiant battle against lung cancer. Bruce was born in Dayton, Ky., to Victor Russell "Pop" Sheldon and Nancy Florence Bounds Sheldon. Bruce spent many years as a sales manager and executive for Xerox. He left Xerox to become a lobbyist in Florida, then had several successful businesses in Louisiana and Arizona. Bruce lived life to the fullest and made a friend out of everyone he met. After spending just a few minutes with him, you felt like you had known him for years. And once you knew him, you had a friend for life. He was warm, kind, gregarious and unpretentious, with a heart as big as his laugh. He was loved by many and will be sorely missed. Bruce was predeceased by his wife, Sara Nell Clements Sheldon; and daughter, Diane Sheldon. He is survived by his wife, Margaret Ann O'Quinn Sheldon; sons, Richard Bruce Sheldon Jr. and wife Ilene, and Michael E. Sheldon and wife Sandy; sister, Joanne Wells; five grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation at Rabenhorst Funeral Home, 825 Government St., on Friday, July 31, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Mass celebrating Bruce's life will be held at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 749 East Blvd., on Saturday, Aug. 1, at 10 a.m. Interment in Greenoaks Memorial Park. Memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.