Gary D. Short

Gary D. Short, 71, of McAlester, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, February 5, 2023.
A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 18, 2023 at Chaney Harkins Funeral Home in McAlester.
Gary was born to Fred Short and Mary Jean (James) Short on September 18, 1951 in Wasco, California.
He was raised in Montalvo and Ventura, Ca where he attended Ventura Public Schools graduating from Buena High School with the class of 1969. He met and married the love of his life Mary Evett Oliphant on October 28, 1974.
Gary was a career carpenter since 1970. He loved his trade and often joked that he framed all of Thousand Oaks, California from 1970 to 1974. He then worked as a framer and carpenter in Ventura, California for Cherry Construction until 1982. During this time, he traveled with the Cherry Family to Haiti to build a Mission, one of the highlights of his life.
Gary and the family moved to Canadian, Oklahoma and he worked for the Canadian Public Schools from 1982 to 1987. In 1987 Gary worked with the Thomas Construction Company, and then with the McAlester Public Schools where he retired in 2014 after 27 years of service.
Gary enjoyed spending his time surfing, fishing, having bonfires, riding motorcycles, and being with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 48 years: Evett (Oliphant) Short of the home; his sons: Tyas Short and wife, Chrystal of McAlester, Royce Short and wife, Manele of Lafayette, CO, Garett Short and wife, Brittney of McAlester; his daughter: Allison Hernholm and husband, Mikkael of Middleton, Idaho; his sister: Linda Short of Carpinteria, California; his brothers: Mark Short and wife, TJ of Kingman, Arizona, and Tracy Short and wife, Pam of Ventura, California; and his 12 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.
Gary is preceded in death by his parents: Fred Short and Mary Jean (James) Short.