Short, Ronald

February 14, 1946 - August 4, 2023

Ronald Jay Short, Sr., age 77, of Winston-Salem, NC, passed away on August 4, 2023. He is survived by his children and grandchildren: Jay Short (Jennifer and children Caroline and James) and Amelia Bakshi (Rajat and children Lillianne and Cyrus), his siblings: Susan Fraser and Dale Short and former wife, Pamela Short. After graduating from R.J. Reynolds's High School, Ron attended the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, class of 1968. He ran the food service at Salem College before attending law school at Wake Forest University, class of 1985. He practiced law in Winston-Salem for 35 years. Ron received both the Lupton award and the Cofer award for Lifetime Achievement from the Forsyth County Criminal Defense Trial Lawyer's Association. In addition to his legal career, Ron was an exceptional athlete. He lettered in track and field at UNC-CH, and competed in the heavyweight division of the Scottish Highland Games for 32 years. He was a world record holder in the caber toss. He was a beloved member of St. Paul's Cathedral where he taught Sunday School, was a dedicated volunteer and served as head usher. Ron was a mock trial advisor for Bishop McGuiness, a member of Sertoma Club, and mentor to many young lawyers. Services will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral on September 1, 2023 at 10 a.m., reception following. In the style of Ron, favorite Bowties and/or kilts are welcome. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to WFDD or St. Paul's general fund.

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Published by Winston-Salem Journal on Aug. 20, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Ronald Short

25 Entries

Robyn Branch

October 2, 2024

My dear sweet brother,

I knew something was wrong and did not spend enough time trying to find out. I am so sorry we missed our last dinner and that is all on me. Our talks were some of the best in my life. You always accommodated my crazy schedule and I loved that you taught me so much everytime we visited. I wish you had that time with Lee, a fellow attorney. He would have benefited so much from knowing you, as we all did. You were such a good man like your dad and such a good citizen. You strived for excellence in all you did....loved your family and your children most.

Thank you for encouraging my love of dance and supporting me in my life. I'm so glad I reached out, I should have done it sooner and more often. I love you and always will.

Pip squeak, Robyn

Honorable Col. Mark E. Young, Sr.

August 10, 2024

My Dearest Brother Ron,
It´s been years since I´ve seen you and I just decided to track you down. My heart is so heavy to discover you´ve left your earthly body, but I rejoice in knowing the quality of man you were and that you definitely are spending eternity in heaven. You were my SERTOMA brother and the one that brought me into the organization. I sincerely hope that anyone who reads this will see how much Love & Respect I have for you. You will always remain in my heart. RIP my dear friend.

Laura

April 10, 2024

I found out that my favorite boss passed just recently. I´ve been gone from NC for 10 years. Ron watched my daughter grow up and was instrumental in supporting me while I received my undergraduate degree and work towards my master´s degree. He´s the most amazing person and I am so sad that I not only didn´t know, but that I haven´t seen him in several years. He will always be my boss and I will always be his "homey".

Lesley Fogleman Moxley

November 30, 2023

I am saddened to read this several months after Ron´s passing. I went to Wake Forest Law with him, and we shared one class together - he was a year ahead of me. He was an exceptional student. The fun thing was that I´d attended Salem College and graduated in 1982, took a year off for graduate school, and then returned to Winston-Salem for law school. He ran the Refectory at Salem. Also, it was always fun to cheer for Ron during the caber toss events years later when I was practicing in the mountains of Western North Carolina and attended the Highland Games with my young son. I am also quite pleased to read that he was an honored recipient of the Cofer award. I worked for Bill Cofer and Eddie Mitchell as a law student. I´m sure they´re all smiling in Heaven and trading priceless stories about Winston-Salem! Ron was much loved by generations of Salem graduates and well respected by his WFU Law peers.

RIP, my friend. Well done.

George Reid

September 6, 2023

We were dorm mates @ UNC & keep in touch all these years!

Allison McCall Roquemore

September 3, 2023

Knowing Ron from his time running the food service at Salem to his days clerking in my husband Emmett's law practice, every encounter with him was helpful and fun. I remember hearing of his love for his family, his Scottish heritage and chocolate chip cookies! He had a remarkable wit and an infectious laugh and will be greatly missed.

John Danforth

September 1, 2023

I am so fortunate to have known Ron since he coached the Salem Academy track team in the mid 70´s. I watched him compete in the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games for 12 straight years. I ran the sprint events while he dominated the weight events. He loaned me a kilt so I could run and win the Kilted Mile one year. Loved being his friend and a fellow member of the Twin City Track Club for over 20 years. Sharing my love and respect for Ron with his wonderful family. What an incredible human being! John Danforth

Jerry and Suzanne Smith

September 1, 2023

A long-time friend and our attorney. Our condolences to Pam, Amy, Jay, and the entire family for your loss.

Mary Szawara

August 26, 2023

Thoughts and prayers for the Short family. Ron was one of my favorite "characters" of the Hall of Justice. He would often stop by to chat and share a story. I recently saw a sweet note when I retired that he gave me and will always treasure our friendship!

Susanne Hill

August 26, 2023

I met Ron when he was head of the food service at Salem College and our families have been good friends for over 50 years. I loved, admired, and respected him as a friend and as a lawyer. If I ever needed anything in either capacity, I always knew that Ron would help in any way that he could. He was a very special person and I am going to miss the times that we spent together. Love and condolences to the family.

David Logan

August 25, 2023

I met Ron when he made a mid-life pivot and enrolled in law school at Wake Forest in the early 1980´s. I recollect that he was one of the older students in the class (as well as older than I was, since I was a rookie prof.) Ron was a delight to teach and was smart and well-liked by his (much younger) classmates. Then, some years later, we needed a lawyer for a real estate transaction, I contacted Ron and unsurprisingly, he was terrific. Then, a few years later I taught his son Jay, the only time in my 41 years of teaching that I taught a parent and their child. Jay, also, was a delight to teach.
I left Winston-Salem and Wake Forest in 2003 but have always valued my time with The Shorts. May Ron rest in peace.

Linda Gauthier

August 25, 2023

It was my great pleasure to work with Ron during more than one He, She, We and God weekend. His humor and patience and grace were always a blessing.

Trish and John McRae

August 25, 2023

Ron and his family were among the first people we met when we moved to the area 36 years ago. In addition to seeing Ron at St. Timothy's, we cheered him on at Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in July. A gentle giant of a man, we can still see Ron in his kilt, tossing the caber! A great friend, we thought the world of him and share our sympathy with his family.

The Grahams

August 22, 2023

My deepest sympathies to your family. My mother Barbara Graham was a friend of Ron's and spoke of him often and fondly, she passed on 2021 and Ron was such a comfort to our family. My heart is with you as you grieve. I'm sure mom was there waiting to greet him. Love to you and yours.

Diana Palecek

August 22, 2023

Dear Short Family - I am sad to learn of Ron's passing. He was a good mentor to me from the years 1993-2006 following my graduation from Wake Forest Law School when I worked for the law departments of Wachovia and Jefferson-Pilot. We met regularly for lunch and fellowship. I learned how to make connections and network from Ron. When my husband and I bought and sold our first two houses, Ron was our attorney. I lost touch with him after I moved away from the Triad. My deepest condolences to you. Diana Palecek

Jane Welch

August 22, 2023

How I will miss this friend of over 40 years. Ron was always there to help and had a laugh that warmed the heart. So many memories and good times shared. He leaves a hole in the heart of all those who loved him.

Jean Foust Allen

August 22, 2023

I have known Ron since I was a teenager at Salem Academy when he was my track coach. He always wanted you to do the best that you could and brought out the best in everyone. After he became a lawyer, I helped him with the title work in his real estate practice. He was great to work with and a terrific mentor. He and I remained good friends through the years and he was always a good listener, confidant with sound advice and all around great guy with an infectious laugh and sharp wit. I will miss him terribly and his yearly Christmas cards. Rest easy, my dear friend.

Joyce Jacob-Mua

August 21, 2023

I will miss our Sunday morning chats. My deepest condolences to the family.

Katherine Mayer Saunders

August 21, 2023

Whenever I think of Salem, I also think of Ron. What a wonderful , wonderful person!He gave us many laughs and always helped put a smile on our faces. You will be missed. RIP. Katherine Mayer Saunders-Salem C.- 79

Barbara Edwards

August 21, 2023

My deepest sympathy to family and friends. Ron was a faithful member of both St. Timothy´s and St. Paul´s Episcopal churches and his million dollar smile will be missed. I learned some wonderful cooking tips from him too. We had some good times over the past 45 years. Ron, May you rest in peace.

Barbara Edwards

August 21, 2023

My deepest sympathy to the family of beloved Ron Short. He was a loved and faithful member of the Espiscopal Church. I´ve known Ron almost 45 years and still remember cooking tips from him and his serious but million dollar smile. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Susan (Short) Fraser

August 20, 2023

Ronnie...after all these years....I miss you.
Your little sister, Sue

Katherine Knapp Watts

August 20, 2023

Many, many Salem alumnae have fond memories of Ron´s amazing laugh, as well watching him toss the caber on the field hockey field on campus and "helping" him in the kitchen during a snow storm. We remember a funny line he said one time, "Wow, what a vista!" As one of my friends remarked, I´ll bet that´s what he said when he entered the pearly gates!

Danny Ferguson

August 20, 2023

Ron and I were lawyers together and spent many hours sitting side by side in court, oftentimes whispering about almost everything. Ron was an absolute wonderful man. I trusted him, I respected him, and I admired him. I am so sorry he is gone, but I know he is in good hands. I ask that the Lord bless and keep Ron and that he rests in peace.

Melody Sheridan

August 20, 2023

Nicest man in the world

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