FRANKLIN SHORT

FRANKLIN SHORT

Mesa, AZ

Franklin (Frank) Forrest Short, born June 12, 1921 to Eliza (McGonagle) and Frank Short on a farm outside Rolfe, Iowa.

Frank graduated from Rolfe High School in 1938 and was discharged from the Army Air Corps January 1946. During his service, he was a flight simulator instructor and landed a plane the first time he ever flew. He met Janet Mary Hill at Iowa State Teachers College and they married in 1944. They made their home in Des Moines, Iowa where Frank was an executive in the insurance industry. Frank earned his Juris Doctorate degree from Drake University and taught evening law classes for several years. He was a member of the Scottish Freemasonry for over 50 years (32nd degree) and the Des Moines Central Presbyterian Church. Frank and Janet enjoyed socializing with neighbors, playing golf and bridge, waterskiing and snow skiing. He enjoyed participating in Indian Guides and attended little league games, wrestling matches, and dance and piano recitals of his children.

After retirement, Frank and Janet built their dream house with family in his beloved Rocky Mountains and were members of the Allenspark Community Church. Frank enjoyed hiking, volunteering at the Hilltop Guild, and being the "Road Maintenance Supervisor" in Tahosa Park West. Winters were spent in Mesa, Arizona where Frank was active hiking, bike riding, playing pool, ballroom dancing, volunteering, and golfing.

Janet died in 1995 and Frank married Merlyn Jane Valiquet December, 1996. They enjoyed trips to Hawaii, watching sports on TV, and golf outings to San Diego. They moved to Mesa year round in 2007. Merlyn died August, 2008 and shortly after, Frank moved to the Portland, Oregon area where he died in Lake Oswego, December 16, 2009.

Frank is survived by his children, Margaret Daggett, John (Cindy) Short, and Nancy (Robert) Blazer. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Jessica (Matt) Kraybill, Michael Short, Ryan Short, and Axel Short; niece and nephew, Fran Hazen, and Charles Christensen; sisters-in-law, Margaret (Ogilvy) Rhodes, Dorothy Eggemeyer, and Audrey Jackson.

Services were held at Mariposa Gardens, Mesa, AZ. Frank was entombed there December 22, 2009.