Jean A. Short, Jack D. Short
A celebration of their lives is being planned to occur in Harrison in the spring.
Jack D. Short
On Aug. 30, 2015, Jack Doodle Short Jr., at the age of 91, quietly passed away in Houston, Texas. “Dood” as some called him, was born July 20, 1924. in Oronogo, Missouri. His parents were Jack D. Short Sr. and Rooney Annie Prater Short.
Jack Jr. attended schools in Picher, Oklahoma, Ozark, Missouri, and Oronogo, Missouri, finally graduating from Webb City High School in Webb City, Missouri. He then graduated from Joplin Junior College in Joplin, Missouri, and attended the University of Tulsa.
Jack proudly served his country as a U.S. Navy Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class during World War II in the Pacific Theater, and in 1950, he was activated in the Navy Reserve to serve in the Korean War.
He was employed by E.A. Martin Machinery Co. in Joplin, Missouri, as office manager, and later transferred to Harrison, as the branch manager.
In 1957, he moved to Arkansas Acceptance Corp. in Harrison where he became secretary-treasurer and in 1974 became president until his retirement in 1986. Also, Jack was president of Arkansas Acceptance Company, Inc. and became president of Acceptance Investment Corp. He practiced public accounting services for 27 years in addition to his full-time job.
Active in community activities, Jack was a member of the Harrison Junior Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Harrison Lions Club which included a five-year stint as secretary/treasurer, and a member of the Harrison Country Club where he served as secretary/treasurer for five years. He also served on the Board of the Northwest Arkansas Library, as a member of the boards of NOARK Girl Scout Council, the United Way of Harrison, and the Harrison Chamber of Commerce, and as president of the Junior High P.T.A.
In addition, Jack was a director of the Harrison Civil Service Commission, and a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he served as a deacon.
He, with his wife, Jean, moved to Panorama Village, Texas, in 1988, where they were members of the Panorama Country Club. He served as director of the Tuesday night couples party bridge for many years. In 2013, he Jack and Jean moved to Houston, Texas, to be closer to their son, Jim and his family.
Jack was a “people person” and never met a stranger. He enjoyed many hobbies over his lifetime such as RVing and camping, fishing, golfing, traveling, sporting events, and playing cards.
Jean A. Short
Jean Allison Gillie Short passed away on Monday, Jan. 7 (2019) in Houston, Texas.
She was born April 23, 1927, in Woodbury, New Jersey, the daughter of Benjamin Austin Gillie and Lucy Ernestine Hayward Gillie.
Jean and her family moved a few times ending up in Joplin, Missouri, where she graduated Joplin High School and Joplin Junior College. After attending one year at the University of Kansas, she was encouraged by the university to continue her academic pursuits at some other institution. Jean claimed that she and the course Western Civilization didn’t get along.
On July 20, 1950, Jean married Jack D. Short in Joplin, Missouri, where they resided until about 1954 when they moved to Harrison.
While in Harrison, in addition to raising two children to adulthood, Jean was, for 10 years, the leader of Girl Scout Troop 114. She also served on the NOARK Girl Scouts Campership Committee.
Other than Scouting, she was a member of: Contemporary Club; 20th Century Club; Dig and Dream Garden Club; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; and the ever popular Stitch and Bitch Sewing Club.
After moving to Panorama Village, Texas, with Jack, Jean was a member of the Ladies Association, and the Women’s Golf Association, serving on several committees and as a member of several bridge clubs.
Throughout her life, Jean loved the outdoors. She was enjoyed camping, fishing, floating the Buffalo River, catching turtles, going to sporting events, traveling, and traipsing along with Jack wherever he wanted to go.
Jean was known for her sharp wit and quick smile. Her friends admired her for being able to put up with Jack from their marriage until his passing. The pinnacle of her life was when she, and her best friend, Barbara Bentley, earned their Spider Sniffer badge at Roaring River State Park.
As a Couple
Both Jack and Jean were preceded in death by their respective parents and siblings; their infant son; and daughter, Marilyn.
They are survived by their son, Jim Short, and his wife, Christina, and three grandsons, Michael Short and his wife Ana, Christopher Short, and Walker Short and his wife Chantel, all of Houston, Texas.
They are also survived by their great-grandson and Jack’s namesake, Sebastian Jack Short, and their great-granddaughter, Scarlett Francesca Short.
They loved their family intensely.
Their cremated remains will be placed, for the most part, in the family plot in Maplewood Cemetery.
A celebration of their lives is being planned to occur in Harrison in the spring.
