PAUL DENTON Age 88, a resident of Albuquerque , NM died on August 4, 2012. Paul was a professional for 38 years with the Boy Scouts of America, culminating as the general manager and director of the Philmont Scout Ranch for the final 14 years of his career. At Philmont he developed and executed a ranch master plan that is, in part, responsible for the success that Philmont enjoys today. He also placed Philmont in a valued position with the Northeastern New Mexico Ranching Community. After retirement he was a volunteer scouter for 12 years with the Great Southwest Council in Albuquerque, and was awarded the coveted Silver Beaver for his services on the council camping committee and with a local troop. He also was Scout Executive of the Catalina Council in Tucson, the Desert Trails Council in California, and assistant Scout Executive at both the Sioux Council in South Dakota and the Kit Carson Council in Albuquerque. He is survived by his wife, Alice. Together they raised four Eagle Scouts. One, the late Kurt Claussen, was also a professional scouter in Albuquerque. The others, Craig Claussen of Green Valley, AZ, Rex Claussen of Tucson and Mark Claussen and wife, Paula and children, Natalie and Adam of the San Diego area. Other survivors are his twin sisters, Florence McDaniel of Brookings, SD and Florene Prunty of Broomfield, CO and many nieces and nephews. Paul was also dedicated to his church, serving in leadership positions in all of his working years, and currently a member of St.Paul's United Methodist Church. He trusted in his faith to help him in his walk through life. He was a graduate of South Dakota State University, with a degree in Journalism. He switched to his life's career after serving as scoutmaster while in college. His philosophy in life was "In a hundred years it will not matter what kind of house I lived in, what kind of car I drove, or the size of my bank account, but the world will be different because I was important in the life of a boy." He too was an Eagle Scout. He was active in both the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, the American Legion where he was a former Vice-Commander of the State of South Dakota, plus memberships in the 40 and 8. He was also active in the American Camping Association where he was district chairman, and on the national camp inspection team. Paul served in the US Navy in World War II and survived two plane crashes in the Pacific. He truly believed in service to God, country and family. Interment of his cremated remains will be in the family plot in Arlington, SD, where he was born in 1923 and where his son Kurt, infant son Mark, and mother are buried. Memorials may be made to The Great Southwest Council, BSA, 5841 Office Boulevard NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87109. Please visit our online guest book for Paul at: www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 1111 University Blvd. NE 505-843-6333
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