Thomas Jerald Short, formerly of Cabool, Missouri, passed from this life and into his Savior’s presence on Tuesday, October 23, 2018, at Maries Manor in Vienna, Missouri.

Tom was born on March 15, 1941, to Robert and Pearl (Holden) Short in Moline, Illinois. He was preceded in death by both parents, in 1997 and 1999 respectively, and by his younger brother, Allen Short, in 2008.  He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Opal Short and a daughter-in-law, Selina (Jay) Short.

Tom is survived by his five children: Thomas Jeffery (Debra) Short of Mishawaka, Indiana; John Jay Short of Newport, Tennessee; Mary Joann (Mark Davis) Short of Berwick, Illinois; Sally Jeanine (Paul) Kulak of Rutland, Illinois; and Stephen James Short of Galesburg, Illinois. Tom is also survived by the mother of his children, Helen Short of Galesburg, Illinois; his older brother, Ed (Liz) Short of Cabool, Missouri, along with six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, as well as a nephew, four nieces and their children.

Tom graduated from Galesburg (IL) High School in 1959 and married his fiancee, Helen Gillette on July 4, 1959. They moved to Cabool, Missouri, where they started their family.  Tom first worked at Emacks and later at the shoe factory.  Tom and his young family moved briefly to northern Illinois where he worked in the steel industry, but after a few years returned to Cabool.

During the raising of his family, Tom was a member at the Cabool Christian Church and insured that his family was in attendance on a regular basis. He loved his family and instilled in his children a love of God and a good work ethic.

Unfortunately, Tom’s health eventually forced him out of the work world. He remained a resident of the Cabool area for many years, being a familiar face about town, until his move to Maries Manor a couple years before his passing.

Tom loved math, enjoyed TV, liked a good laugh and spent much of his time simply thinking about how/why things were and how they could/should be.