Obituary of Ray Short

Ray Short January 02, 1914 - February 21, 2011 Arlis Ray Short passed away on February 21, 2011 in Lubbock, Texas. He was 97 years old. He was married for 75 years to his beloved wife, Rossia (Nick) Byers Short who survives him. He was father to Frances Dawkins (Enoch) of New Orleans, LA, Ron Short (Roseanne) of Raleigh, NC, Nancy Toone of Jacksonville, FL, and Jim Short (Nikki) of North Richland Hills, TX. He is survived by eleven grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. He leaves one sister, Ruth Hillman of Williamsburg, VA and Brother-in-law Joe Byers of Lovington, NM. One of six children, he was born in Butlerville, Arkansas on January 2, 1914. He treasured his memories of growing up hunting and fishing in the woods of Arkansas. He came to New Mexico in 1935. He was employed by the Gulf Oil Co. and the United States Border Patrol before becoming a Lea County farmer. He was the prototypical entrepreneur and owned several successful businesses, including Ray Short Equipment Co. where he became a great friend to farmers and ranchers all over Lea County. He and Mrs. Short moved to Lubbock in 2001 to join the Carillon Community where he lived for the past nine years. Mr. Short led an extraordinary life and was an exemplary husband, father, friend and businessman. He was a lifelong Baptist and served as a deacon. He was truly a self-made man and a role model for all who knew him. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 26, 2011 from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. at Kirby Smith Rogers Funeral Home, Lovington NM with graveside services to follow at 1:30 P.M. at Resthaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Carillon Foundation, 1717 Norfolk Ave., Lubbock, TX 79416. Condolences may be sent to www.kirbysmithrogers.com.