Charles Richard Short

Charles was born February 10, 1981 in Fairhope, Alabama.  He was 6 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches long. 

He and his parents, Joey and Terri, lived in Jackson, Alabama until he was 11 months old.  They then moved to Valparaiso, FL, which I have learned is more commonly known as Val-P.

They lived with Charles’ Grandma and Papa Dunn for awhile, before they moved into a small house on Washington Ave. At this home Charles had a big yard and got his first dog, a mixed breed called Corky.  Charles would drag him around by the tail, but Corky didn’t mind.

At the age of four, Charles broke his nose on a plow handle while running across Papa Dunn’s front yard.  (Austin and I went to visit this home with Papa Dunn during the summer of 2006, and the plow is still there in the front yard.)

Also at age four, Charles’ made his first trip away from home was with Grandma and Papa Dunn.  They went to Nashville, TN to visit his cousin, Nick.

Charles started school at Valparaiso Elementary School and went there until he was in fourth grade.  He rode his bike to school and would ride to Grandma Dunn’s everyday after school.  Grandma Dunn spoiled him rotten! 

His Aunt Kathy lived with Grandma and Papa Dunn at the time and she loved to spoil Charles.  She loved to take him shopping. 

He enjoyed going to breakfast with Papa Dunn every Saturday morning for pancakes at McDonalds.  If Papa Dunn was late Charles would call to make sure he didn’t forget.  (This was the first story Charles ever told me about his Papa Dunn.)

Since both Charles and Micha, his cousin, were close in age and were both growing up in Valparaiso, they became very close.  They were like brother and sister.

Charles, Micha and Tracy, Micha’s younger sister, would ride their Big Wheel bikes back and forth from Denise’s house and Grandma and Grandpa Short’s.

Family get togethers at Grandma and Grandpa Short’s were noisy and full of fun times, especially since the three of them, Charles, Micha and Tracy were allowed the run of the house. They enjoyed riding their Big wheels into the water off the boat dock in Lincoln Park.

Charles started playing Little League baseball when he was six and loved playing the game.  The next year he broke his Mom’s nose pitching baseball to her in the backyard.

Scruffy, a miniature schnauzer, came to us on Charles 7^th Birthday.

When Charles was eight, he and his parents moved to a house on Edge Avenue which happened to be just across the street from Uncle Bill, Aunt Denise and his cousins Micha and Tracy.

Charles was baptized at the First Baptist Church of Valparaiso.  It was there he sang in the children’s choir and was in the Christmas Play.

Joey and Terri took Charles on a big vacation to Disney, Epcot and SeaWorld.  It was quite an adventure for Charles.  He got to stand up front when Shamu made his entrance, he petted dolphins and road Space Mountain for the first time.

When Charles was 9 years old Grandma and Grandpa Short moved away.  They moved to the mountains of North Carolina.  It was there he spent the entire summers with them, along with Micha and Tracy.  He loved the mountains.  Grandma even taught him to do crosstitch!  Charles and his parents would visit often.  Visiting Grandma and Grandpa Short in the summer meant hikes to the waterfall, playing in the creek and building a treehouse.  In the winter it meant playing in the snow, making snow ice cream and spending Christmas at the mountain.  Charles and Micha were daredevils they loved to ride their sleds down the mountain paths, even though it scared everyone silly!

(Charles took Austin and me to visit in April of 2002.  Austin was just 4 months old.  I had heard so many stories of the mountain and couldn’t wait to experience it myself.  Charles showed me the waterfall, the creek and the paths.  It seemed like such a great place to have growing up.)

When Charles was ten years old, we moved to Zion, Illinois, while Joey was going to navy “A” school at Great Lakes.  They were only there for a few months and it was there he was introduced to cold weather, deep snow and big cities.   He got his first snow boots and snow pants since he had to walk several blocks to school in the snow. 

While they lived there Charles enjoyed several trips to Chicago, riding the train, especially the Field Museum (with Sue, the Tyrannosaurus Rex) and Wrigley Field to see the Cubs play.

After that they moved to Jacksonville, Florida, where Charles finished elementary school and started Junior high School. He really started to bloom as an athlete during this time. He played baseball and Pop Warner football. He made the All Star team as a junior (13 years old), playing third base, the outfield, and even pitched once or twice. Joey got to coach his team to the championship.  He was a starter at linebacker, running back, defensive and offensive lineman while playing football for two years. He made several really close friends, especially David and Josh. Those three were almost inseparable and even their families became close friends.

Jacksonville was where he got his braces at age 13, cut his foot and had to have 16 stitches,  and discovered girls!   Lots of sleepovers with the guys, swimming, and playing video games.  It was really hard for him to leave his friends when they were given orders to Virginia.   His parents let him fly back that summer to visit and attend football camp.  This was his first plane ride.    His Grandma Dunn passed away this year which really hit Charles hard.  Those two were very close.

Newport News brought him into 8^th grade at Hines Middle School.  He made friends almost immediately with Chris Terrell, Chris Pharis and Brandon Hedgepeth.   

9^th grade took him to Ferguson High School and his first year at JV Football.   It was here he sprained his ankle for the first time.  Season passes to Bush Gardens, sleepovers at each other’s houses. 

Ferguson High School closed its doors and therefore Charles found himself at Warwick High School for 10^th grade.  He played more JV football, learned to drive, got his license, began wrestling and attended his first Homecoming dance.  His Dad was deployed so Charles had to ask the neighbor to tie his tie.  This would be the first time I ever met him.  I had an after-the-dance party at my house and when I came into the living room there he was sitting on my couch.  That would be the beginning of a special friendship, which eventually turned into the love of my life.

11^th and 12^th grade brought a new hair cut, Ms. Fivel’s class, class rings, Ring Dance and more close friends.  They also brought on more Homecoming dances, girlfriends, Prom and Graduation.  Charles enjoyed wrestling and he was good at it.  He was District Champion his senior year.  He made lifelong friends through wrestling.  Coach Scott was his mentor and they developed a special bond that carried past high school.

Charles enjoyed many things throughout high school.  He enjoyed hanging out with the guys, whether they were at the mall, playing videogames or just driving around.  Charles also enjoyed bowling, paintballing and surfing.

The summer after Graduation was filled with fun at Beach Week, Busch Gardens, Kings Dominion and camping.  In August he flew to Chicago to live with his parents since they had moved due to Navy orders.  He enrolled in a few classes at a community college, started working and enjoyed an occasional night shooting pool or working out.  Chris Terrell and I flew out there to visit him for a week right after Christmas of 1999.  After our visit we piled Charles’ belongings along with the three of us in his small two door Honda and drove back to Newport News, Va.  He lived with Chris for awhile until they both started working and were able to get a place on their own.

Charles moved into a one-bedroom apartment during the early part of 2001.  He worked at Oyster Point Car Wash with Chris until he was accepted into the Apprentice School.  He began his Apprenticeship in April of 2001.  He loved learning and enjoyed the trade he was taking on.  HVAC was his calling.  He never complained about working long hours and then having to study for a test the next day.  It is here that he met some wonderful people, who would become his close friends.  Not only did they work together but they became family. 

Charles asked me to marry him November 15, 2000.  I was ecstatic.  Charles and I were so much in love.  We had planned to get married after I graduation college, but in June of 2001 we found out that we were expecting.  Although we had been trying to get pregnant, we just didn’t have any idea that we would get pregnant the first month.  After the shock wore off we were so excited and could hardly wait to become parents.  Charles wanted a boy so bad. 

On September 8, 2001 we were married at Faith Presbyterian Church in front of our families and close friends.  It was the perfect wedding – just what we wanted. 

On January 30, 2002 Austin Taylor was born.  Since I had to have a c-section Charles was the first one to see Austin and was the one who got to walk him down to the nursery and introduce him to the family.  Charles was so excited and so proud.  Please watch the Proud Daddy video to hear just how excited he was.

In October 2002 we purchased a condo.  Charles could not believe we were buying our first home at such a young age.  It was here that Austin started crawling and walking.  Charles enjoyed playing baseball and running around outside in our yard.  Charles would take Austin and his remote control truck outside into the parking area for hours at a time.

Charles was such a great Daddy.  He enjoyed every moment with Austin.  They loved to color, read, watch cartoons, wrestle on the floor and go buy Mommy presents.  Charles made bath time special – rarely would I get bath duty.  Charles enjoyed afternoon naps on the couch with Austin.  He also enjoyed teaching Austin to jump on the bed, sometimes making Mommy very nervous.

In July 2004 Charles and I sold our condo and moved in with his parents.  We wanted to save money to buy a larger home so we could have room to expand our family.  We went on our annual family vacation, with my family at the end of July.  Charles enjoyed this time at the beach.  He took Austin swimming in the ocean where they rode the waves.  They took long walks down the beach picking up shells and anything else they could find.  Charles and Austin adored each other.

We came back on Sunday, August 1^st and on Wednesday, August 4^th, 2004 Charles passed away. 

Charles Richard Short

Charles Richard Short, 23, died Wednesday, Aug.4, 2004.  Charles was a wonderful and loving son, husband and father.  He is loved very deeply by those who knew him and will be missed dearly.  Mr. Short was employed with Northrup Grumman as an apprentice in heating, ventilation and air conditioning in department 043.  He attended Faith Presbyterian Church.  Survivors include his loving wife of three years, Nicole Ann Short; son, Austin Taylor Short of Newport News; his parents, Joey and Terri Short of Newport News; grandparents, Charlie and Helen Short of Sylvia, NC; grandfather, Raymond Dunn of Niceville, FL; father and mother in law, Timmy and Beverly Gathright of Newport News; nephew, Lane Gathright; nieces, Elizabeth Jackson and Madison Mai Norris; and many other family members.  Also, a pet, Gizmo.  He was preceded in death by a grandmother, Lovy Dunn.  Visitation will be from 6 to 7 pm Sunday, Aug. 8 in the W.J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held at noon Monday, Aug. 9 in Faith Presbyterian Church with Rev. Charles Tucker officiating. 

Burial will follow in Peninsula Memorial Park.