Virginia Welton, the longtime owner of Orangeland RV Park in Orange who helped her husband launch the precursor to the California Outdoor Hospitality Association (CalOHA) a half-century ago, has died after a short battle with cancer. She was 103.
Virginia Welton and her husband, Eldredge “El” Welton, co-founded the California Travel Parks Association (CTPA) in 1974. El Welton served as CTPA’s second vice president at its founding and as the CTPA president starting in 1979. Virginia Welton served as the CTPA treasurer when the association began and later compiled annual summaries of CTPA’s accomplishments for several years.
Dyana Kelley, CalOHA’s president and CEO, said the industry lost another hero.
“Many of you will remember Virginia from our birthday Zoom tribute at the CalOHA Summit in April of 2022 when she turned 101,” Kelley said. “Through the magic of technology, we were able to celebrate her life and contributions to the RV park industry while at the same time allowing her to see a room of over 200 people that she helped bring together.”
Up until the pandemic, Virginia Welton lived in the couple’s Orangeland RV Park and often sat outside her RV, chatting, waving and watching the comings and goings.
“From the day I met her,” Kelley said, “I was drawn to her spirit and passion. She was sharp, witty, fun and a bit sassy. All the qualities I adore.”
The Weltons owned Val Verde Estates Mobilehome Park since 1959. El Welton was a member of the Western Mobilehome Association (WMA) for 14 years and helped establish the RV Park Division of WMA in 1973 before leaving the group to help create CTPA.
Virginia Welton’s family will host a day of shared memories at 12:30 p.m. PT March 2 at Orangeland RV Park. Per Virginia Welton’s wishes, there will be no “service.”
