Dr. Shelton Hardaway Short III

Dr. Shelton Hardaway Short III, of Clarksville, Va., passed away Saturday, July 30, 2005. Shelton was born on November 9, 1926, in Richmond, Va. He spent his youth growing up on Boyd Street in Chase City, Va. His parents, Bessie Morton Goode Jeffreys Short and Shelton Hardaway Short Jr., were prominent in the local business community. His family's involvement in Jeffreys-Spaulding Manufacturing Company, Jeffreys-McElrath Manufacturing Company, Jeffreys Motor Company, as well as tobacco and timber farming, all shaped his future. Education was always of utmost importance to Shelton. After graduating from Chase City High School and serving our country in the Army Air Corps, he attended and graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a bachelor of arts degree (class of 1948). Shelton had hoped to attend Randolph-Macon College, following his father's footsteps, but was unable to do so because the school was closed during the war. Shelton continued his quest for education for decades, obtaining masters degrees from The International College of Elsinod, Denmark, and The University of Nevada, Reno. Not to be satisfied and in an effort to quench an endless desire for knowledge, he pursued and earned a doctorate of philosophy from The University of Edinburgh, Scotland. Dr. Short continued his studies serving as The Patrick Henry "Scholar-In-Residence" of Hampden-Sydney College (1972), The John Randolph Bicentennial Historian at Randolph-Macon College (1973) and The Nathaniel Macon Scholar and Historian at Randolph-Macon College (1999). In 2000 Shelton and his beloved wife, Jean, both received honorary Doctor of Humane Letters Degrees from Randolph-Macon College. This completed a formal education spanning over five decades. Additionally, Shelton was involved with researching and teaching at many colleges and universities worldwide. From The College of William and Mary to the Hague, from the University of Virginia to the International College of Eldsinod, Denmark, from The University of Nevada, Reno to Hampden-Sydney, Prince Edward County, Virginia, from Virginia Tech to virtually every forestry school in the Southeast, from Chase City High School, Boydton High School, to his most loved Randolph-Macon College, Ashland, Virginia, Shelton left his mark. His many published works and letters, as well as volumes of notes and compiled research, will serve all for generations. Although the classroom took much of his time, Shelton continued his parent's heritage of business success. The legacy of over 6000 acres of Pine Plantation in Charlotte, Lunenburg and Mecklenburg County, Virginia, will stand as a testament to Shelton's insistence on continued use of "Best Management Practices" and an example of modern forestry at its best. A world traveler, Shelton would always prefer a rock on the edge of Butcher's or Allen's creek rather than a table with a view of the Eiffel Tower. Service to his fellow countrymen was also important to Shelton. After a brief venture into elected politics, he settled into serving our state and country through the United Nations. Being appointed by governors of both parties, he served for over eighteen years as Virginia's representative to the United Nations, and chairman of "United Nations Day in Virginia." For years he had also been with the World Wide United Nations. His forest, his studies, and his international service all took a back seat to his beloved wife, Jean. Their marriage in the William and Mary Chapel on November 25, 1989, culminated a lengthy courtship. Jean and Shelton traveled extensively, especially enjoying their time together at The Greenbrier in the Allegany Mountains of West Virginia. Together they enjoyed life on the shores of Buggs Island Lake in Clarksville, Virginia. Their home, Wheatland by the Lake, reflects Shelton's continued respect for the past. Elements of the home and compound include the Law Office of Congressman William O. Goode (moved from Wheatland, reported to have been built in the mid-18th century), a log home and museum built from tobacco barns of Southside Virginia and a brick manor home incorporating the grand staircase, heart pine mantels and flooring of his families ancestral home. Shelton and Jean served together on many boards and committees. Shelton most recently served as trustee emeritus of the George Marshall Foundation, and a director of the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Forestry and Natural Resources Board. Past service includes trustee of Berkley Plantation First Thanksgiving Celebration, trustee of the Woodrow Wilson Birthplace, Forest Landowners Education and Research Board of Directors, and trustee of St. Paul's College, Lawrenceville, Virginia. Shelton devoted much of his life to the improvement of the forestland and wildlife habitat of rural Virginia. His steadfast support of national and local conservation organizations continued until his death. He and Jean are life members of The Virginia Forestry Association, The Southern Forest Farmers Association Quail Unlimited, The Wild Turkey Federation, Arrowhead Gun Club, the Fraternal Society of Cincinnati, and many others. The Forestry Center, on Old Cox Road, north of Boydton, is located on land gifted to the Virginia Department of Forestry by Shelton to honor his parents. On the property is a restored log cabin built by Shelton's father and moved to this site for all to enjoy. The cabin's original location was on the banks of Allen's creek. The forestry center fulfilled Shelton's goal of providing a "first rate" facility to promote the timber industry in Southside Virginia. Sharing educational opportunities became Shelton's life work. He and Jean together, have used their financial resources to provide educational opportunities for many. The Short's have funded scholarships for students enrolled at Virginia Tech's Forestry School and Randolph-Macon College. These endowments have allowed many of Southside Virginia's young adults to receive higher education. Additionally, they have funded many scholarships to attend forestry schools throughout the country. Shelton's generous support of Randolph-Macon College includes not only student support, but also professorship opportunities. Congressman Virgil Goode, during an address to The House of Representatives on April 1, 1998, said it best, "Dr. Short and his wife, Jean, are distinguished citizens and active participants in their community in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Their families contributed in significant ways to that community, the Commonwealth of Virginia and the Nation over the course of the last two centuries." Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, August 2, at Wood Funeral Service, Chase City. Graveside services with military honors will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, August 3, at Wheatland Cemetery. Family friend, Bill Baker, officiating. Condolences may be emailed to Mrs. Short at woodfs@kerrlake.com. Wood Funeral Service, Chase City, is in charge of arrangements. Published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on 8/2/2005.