Donald Chester Short

Donald C. Short

December 8, 1935 – December 1, 2023

On December 1, 2023, Donald went from the here to the hereafter, just shy of his 88th birthday. He was at home when he passed.

Donald was preceded by his father, Clarence B. Short and his mother, Elizabeth (Short) Rogers, as well as his second father, Carl I. Rogers. His brother, Richard D. Short, Sr., and sister, Regina L. Welch, also preceded him. And only recently, the love of his life – his wife Norma (Spencer) Short – went before him.

Donald is survived by: Barbara S. Harsch, sister & Bruce A. Rogers (brother). He is also survived by his “kids”, Linda Spencer, Charles E. Warrington, Jr. (“Sparky”) (Marlyn) and Teri Cook (Ed). There are a multitude of nieces, nephews and even great nieces and nephews, including: Mark Pettyjohn (Jennifer), Kelly Pettyjohn Franzoni (Paul), Brian G. Pettyjohn (Kelly), Katelyn E. Atkins (Cory), Megan A. Rogers, Matthew C. Rogers, and David, Danny, Zach, Cori Beth, Mollie, Connor and Addison. He also leaves behind Kathy, Tom, Larry and Lila, Ray Pettyjohn and Karen Field Rogers, who all hold special places in his heart.

Donald lived life to the fullest, enjoying a variety of interests. For well over four decades, he worked with George & Lynch Construction Company, starting as a laborer, then surveyor and finally as the Superintendent for the company. With his crews, they built and paved almost every road in the area, constructed more than a few bridges, and re-built Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay. He bled green and yellow!

He also enjoyed owning and training harness horses, operating a bar-b-que chicken stand, and traveling with Norma and a variety of friends.

He served in the Delaware National Guard. And in his younger days, he was quite the baseball player. Donald was one of the last of that gang of players who lived to play ball and played ball to live.

Donald became a member of the Chaplain’s Chapel United Methodist Church and actually sang in the choir, under the direction of Orville Hammond and Pastor Ken Dodd. Moving from Chaplain’s Chapel, he became a very active member of the Long Neck Methodist Church, attending almost every service held, and serving in a variety of ways, including in the kitchen this past Thanksgiving Day.

A true kid at heart (underneath that gruff exterior), Christmas was his favorite holiday. Honestly, he was more of a kid than the kids of the family. He loved the chance to spoil family and friends and everyone he loved.

Donald was most proud of his marriage to Norma. Together for over sixty years, they stood together through thick and thin. He was lost when Norma passed, having been her caregiver for the last several years, doing everything he could to keep her at home. They are now together again.

Services will be held at Short Funeral Services in Georgetown, on Friday, December 8th, 2023, with viewing hours starting at 11:00 a.m. and a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. Interment will follow at the Union Cemetery in Georgetown.

In lieu of flowers, Donald requests donations to the Beebe Hospital South Coastal Cancer Center (Millville, DE) Beebe Medical Foundation, 902 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE 19958, or the American Kidney Fund.

Online condolences or tributes are welcome for the family at www.shortfuneralservicesandcremation.com