Jonathan Short

Mar 25, 1960 - Feb 3, 2022 Jonathan Y. Short died in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 3, 2022 after a long battle with pneumonia Jonathan was born in Williamsburg, Virginia on March 25, 1960 to James R. Short and Catherine (Cathy) Yates Short. His father worked for Colonial Williamsburg, and Jon experienced an idyllic childhood growing up in a restored 18th century house, playing football on the Palace Green, and taking harpsicord lessons in front of the tourists. He was Student Class President at Lafayette High School, and was frequently the lead in the drama department's musical productions, one of his favorite roles being Henry Higgins in My Fair Lady. After graduating from high school Jonathan attended Duke University where he pledged the Kappa Sigma fraternity, managed the lacrosse team, and sang in the Chapel Choir. He graduated with a degree in Political Science, and then obtained his Juris Doctor from the Marshall-Wythe School of Law at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. After passing the Virginia Bar, Jonathan set up a law practice in Alexandria, Virginia where he specialized in criminal defense. He believed that people accused of crimes deserved not just a defense, but a good qualify defense. Throughout his 30 years of practicing law, Jonathan served as a court appointed attorney for courts in Alexandra, Arlington County, Prince William County, and Fairfax County. Jonathan enjoyed Duke basketball, a good game of poker, and fine bourbon, but his passion was music. He began singing in The Men and Boys Choir at Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Williamsburg at a young age, and also sang with the Williamsburg Baptist Church Choir. While at Duke he was a member of the Chapel Choir. After moving to the Washington Metropolitan area Jonathan began performing with the Oratorio Society of Washington, which later became The Washington Chorus, and toured with them in France in July 2004. He also sang with the City Choir of Washington, and performed with them during a tour of England in July 2018. In addition, Jonathan was a long time member of the University Baptist Church Choir in College Park, Maryland. On January 14, 1995 Jonathan married the former Anne Marie Bracket at Williamsburg Baptist Church. They enjoyed 27 years of travel, adventure, competing with each other in Jeopardy, and involvement in various groups at University Baptist Church. Jonathan was proceeded in death by his father. He is survived his wife, his mother, Catherine Short of Williamsburg, Virginia, his brother and sister-in-law, David and Betsy Short of Greensboro, Georgia, and their daughters Abigail, Shannon and Jennifer. Other survivors consist of in-laws James Bracket of Wichita Falls, Texas, Joseph and Dawn Bracket of Lewisville, Texas and their children Rebecca and Thomas, Catherine and Brent Hendrickson of Blain, Minnesota, their daughter Julia and son Vanya, Cecilia and Daniel Edington of Wichita, Kansas, and a host of cousins. As a final act of service and generosity, Jonathan directed his body be donated to the Duke School of Medicine where he will become a Silent Teacher to medical students. A memorial service will be held at The Charter Room at Williamsburg Landing at 3:30 on June 17th. Donations can be made to the Music Department of University Baptist Church in College Park, Maryland.