Gaylord L. Short

Gaylord L. Short, age 89, of Beaver, West Virginia passed away on Thursday, December 19, 2024. Born on December 29, 1934, at Mohegan, McDowell County, he was the son of the late Franklin Pierce Short and Jessie Thomas Short.

Mr. Short graduated from Pineville High School in 1956 and served in the US Army until 1959. He then began his career in the coal industry. He worked at Island Creek Company Store and then moved on to the coal lab and industrial engineering department at Island Creek. He then went on to V.R. Wesson as a sales manager. He also worked in sales at Sandvik Mining followed by McSweeney. He was employed there until his eventual retirement at the age of 80. He was of the Protestant faith and also was a member of Beckley Masonic Lodge 95 and the Beni Kedem Shrine.

Mr. Short was devoted to his work and valued all of the friends he made along the way. Also he cherished family and loved spending time with them. He loved to joke and make his kids laugh. He was a beloved grandfather, who was known as "Pap Pap" to his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife Margaret Short, his granddaughter Krista Goff and a sister Frankie Morgan.

Those left to cherish his memory include his daughters Debby Vira and husband Mike of Beckley, Becky Smith and husband Butch of Myrtle Beach, a son Rick Short and wife Trecia of Daniels, Grandson, Michael Vira and wife Dr. Amanda Vira of Morgantown, granddaughter Dr. Ashlee Hansen and husband Dr. Michael Hansen of Greenville, SC, granddaughter Rikki Short and companion Andrew Hitchcock of Daniels; great grandchildren Connor Vira, Charlie, Riley and their father, Richard Goff, and Asher Hitchcock; He is also survived by sisters Rosalie Staton of Daniels, Pat Mullens of Beckley, Judy Lester of Crab Orchard, Sandra Whitten of Beckley, a brother Dr. Pete Short and wife Ladena of Daniels, brothers- in- law, Bob Bannister and Dennie Morgan, and a number of extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of Southern WV and the staff at Greystone for the care and compassion they provided. Thanks also to the Beckley VA for all the assistance they provided as well.

A graveside service will be held at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens on Friday December 27, 2024, at 10:00 am.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hospice of Southern West Virginia 454 Cranberry Drive Beckley WV 25801