Charles was born February 10, 1981 in
He and his parents, Joey and Terri, lived in
They lived with Charles’ Grandma and Papa Dunn for awhile, before they moved into a small house on
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
Charles started school at
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
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
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 7th Birthday.
When Charles was eight, he and his parents moved to a house on
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
When Charles was 9 years old Grandma and Grandpa Short moved away. They moved to the mountains of
(Charles took Austin and me to visit in April of 2002.
When Charles was ten years old, we moved to
While they lived there Charles enjoyed several trips to
After that they moved to
9th grade took him to
11th and 12th 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,
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
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
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
Charles was such a great Daddy. He enjoyed every moment with
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
We came back on Sunday, August 1st and on Wednesday, August 4th, 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.
Written and Spoken by Rev. Charles Tucker:
Charles Short had a special place in his heart for children. In fact, those who were closest to him best say that Charles was a big kid.
He seemed most comfortable playing on the floor with Austin, and his nieces, nephews and cousins. Whether it was getting wet in the car because his surfboard was tied to the roof when it was pouring down rain outside, riding the waves at the beach, or playing on the PlayStation, Charles was a child at heart. And Jesus has a special place in his heart for children.
Charles was a big kid who also had big dreams. He had big dreams for himself, Nicole,
For some purpose known only to God, his childlike heart has been taken from us. But his loving spirit will remain. His life, as brief as it was, bears witness to what’s really important.
Charles Short is now in the arms of God. We will miss him. We only have memories of his playful and loving presence.
This afternoon, we’ve come to say so long to Charles Short. We say so long, but not goodbye, because this is not the end. He was a child at heart. He was a child of God. Children of God live and die with the promise of life forever.