The son of Russian Jewish immigrants, Sutton was born Reuben Sutnovsky in 1923. After serving honorably in the Pacific theater during World War II, Sutton ran a successful manufacturing business in San Francisco for 40 years.
After retiring from manufacturing, Sutton moved to North Hollywood, Calif. in the 1980s to help his cousin, Norm Arno, resurrect the struggling VCX company.
Putting his own money and effort into VCX, Sutton helped the company emerge from bankruptcy in 1989.
“Today, because of his sage guidance, VCX is the most successful classic adult company in the business,” his son said.
Sutton was diagnosed with emphysema in 1999, but continued to stay on top of company business right up until the end, his son said.
His son said that last night, at exactly 5 p.m., the same moment his two younger sons had boarded a jet to Vegas to say goodbye, he died in his arms.
“Even with the knowledge that his death was eminent, the weak EKG waveform that slowly flattened to a line caught me by surprise and I was taken over by emotion,” he said.
David Sutton has asked that those wishing to honor his father’s memory make donations in his name to the Free Speech Coalition.
Donations can be sent to Free Speech Coalition, P.O. Box 10480, Canoga Park, Calif. 91309.
