GEORGETOWN - Ira Howard Short, Jr. left this Earth on May 4, 2018 to be with his Lord and Savior for Eternity. Howard was born on Nov. 15, 1928 and lived within five miles of where he was born his entire life.
Howard graduated from Georgetown High School in 1946, married Dorothy May Freeman in 1947, and remained married to her for over 61 years.
His working career encompassed DuPont, the State Highway Department, numerous construction companies where he operated heavy equipment, especially cranes and tower cranes, owning his own painting business for 10 years, managing properties and culminated teaching heavy equipment at Delaware Technical & Community College for the last nine years of his working career. Howard and Dorothy also helped launch, operate and were formerly owning partners in "The Good News Book Store", formerly in Milton and now called "The Mustard Seed".
He will be remembered for his never-ending humor, ever –engaging personality, endless repository of stories, and ability to show love and grace to so many others beyond his own family. His wisdom was astounding and those who knew Howard will remember the lessons he taught them and also his gracious example. While he loved his children and wife incredibly, he also loved so many others who learned to call him teacher, mentor and true friend. His family would especially thank those who extended so much loving care to him, his "girls" during his final years, months and weeks along with the gracious care from Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care.
He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy, in 2009.
He is survived by his two sisters, Helen Beasley and Doris Walls; his three daughters and one son, Linda, Joanna, Amy, and Howard III, as well as grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many others who were in every respect as close as family.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 10, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. in the chapel of Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market Street, Georgetown, where friends may call after 12:00 noon. Interment will be in in Union Cemetery, Georgetown, DE.