Bob (BJ/Mr. Bob) was one of four siblings born to Georgia and Leo Short. He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his oldest brother Leo, his twin sister Bettie, and younger brother Wilber.
Growing up, Bob went to school in Hutchinson and Lyons Kansas. During his school years he met Peggy Pauline Miller and they were married November 11, 1944. During his marriage to Peggy they had two children, Susan and Rex Short. Bob was preceded in death by his wife Peggy in 1991.
Bob had numerous hobbies. In his younger years, he enjoyed collecting and riding motorcycles. He obtained a small plane pilot license, enjoyed calligraphy, photography, woodworking and researching genealogy.
At the age of 17 Bob left school and joined the Navy (Seabee) and served in WWII. His duties included ship fitter, pipe fitter, and plumber third class, running heavy equipment to clear land for air strips and helping build base camps. After his honorable discharge from the Navy in May 1946, Bob acquired his GED. He went on to enjoy numerous professions throughout his life which included car sales, bus driver, heavy equipment operator, barber, working for a security company and law enforcement.
In 1959 Bob and his family moved to Salina Kansas, where Bob began his law enforcement career. He started as a patrolman and advanced to traffic investigator. After 7 years as a police officer in Salina Kansas, Bob took a civilian position with Wackenhunt Security Organization in Wichita, Kansas and was later transferred to Miami Florida where he was promoted to head of investigations for the United States and acquired a top security clearance. Several years later Bob sought out a different position within the company which moved him to Houston, Texas. In September 1984, Bob accepted a position as a deputy with the Harris County Constables Office Precinct 1 in the Criminal Warrant Division and ended his career as a court bailiff for Judge Patronella, retiring in April 1995.
In 1990, while working as a bailiff for Judge Patronella, Bob met Hope Cortinas who was a criminal court clerk for Judge Pacetti. Bob and Hope were both widow/er at the time they met and later married on November 7, 1992.
Bob was a 50 year member and Past Master of the Park Place Masonic Lodge #1172 A. F & A. M. in Houston, TX and received the Golden Trowel award. He was also a member of White Hall Lodge #794 F. & A. M. in Pittsburgh, PA.
Bob and Hope both shared a passion for the Houston Shriners Hospitals for Children. In 1995 he was appointed to Director of the Shrine Outreach Clinic Club and maintained this position for 20 years. The duties as director included collecting and/or purchasing clothes and toys at Christmas, specifically for children who were patients and brought to the Rio Grande Valley Shrine Club for various types of care. This act of service brought joy to many children who otherwise would not have received clothes and gifts at Christmas. He was Past President of the Arabia Greeters, We Care Chairman, member of the York Rite, member of the Knight Templar, President of Nasa Shrine Club, and recipient of the Shrine Outreach Clinic Club Emeritus Fez.
In addition to Bob’s commitment with the Masonic Lodge and the Arabia Shrine Center, he was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, member of the VFW in Pasadena, Texas, an officer at the VFW in Sargent, TX and a member of the National Police Officers Association.
Bob loved spending time with Hope, working on projects, traveling the United States, going on cruises, and seeing his family in Kansas. Bob and Hope traveled each year to attend his family reunion in Coffeyville, Kansas. Family was especially important to Bob and he looked forward to visiting with his twin sister, younger brother, Uncle Earl, Aunt Pete, Aunt Dorothy and his entire family. He also loved working on projects with his wife Hope, specifically remodeling the house in Sargent, TX and he enjoyed making wood signs for his stepson’s bar-b-que cooking team. While Bob was a master at woodwork, he tended to have a problem with nails and tools. During a remodeling project at the creek house, he accidently walked into a nail cutting his head, then later, cutting a small piece of board he cut his finger in addition to the board. This became a family joke and a story that was told many times in his life.
It can be said with confidence, Bob loved his wife, family, giving of himself for others and his dog he affectionately called “little boy”, Patches. Anyone who knew Bob loved him! He was always about helping others, doing the right thing and being honest and true in everything he did. Bob was very loved and respected by all.
Bob is survived by his wife, Hope Short, his children; Susan Glasscock, Rex Short and his wife Patricia, his step children; Michael Cortinas and his wife Robyn, Yvonne Sain and her husband Doug, James Cortinas and his wife Cynthia, his grandchildren; Kimberlee Sue Brown, Robert Steven Brown, Matthew Royal Thomas, Amanda Roane and her husband Preston, Chris Short, Dusty Eckmann and husband Greg, Dakota Short, Dylan Short, his step grandchildren; Amanda Cortinas, Tyler Cortinas and his fiancé Hannah, John Douglas Sain and Lindsay, John Cortinas and his wife Leslie, Melanie Jackson and her husband Eric, Joseph Ferrell and his wife Jill, Casey Ferrell and his wife Stephanie, his great grandchildren; Taylor Miller, Avery Roane, Logan Roane, Mark Sanchez, Bonnie Sanchez, Angela Sanchez, Levi Thomas, Hunter Thomas, Natalie Thomas, his step great grandchildren Hayden Cortinas, Kimberlyn Sain, Jonathan Cortinas, Max Ferrell, Reagan Ferrell, Logan Ferrell, his great great Grandchildren; Briella Sanchez, Kaylea Downy, Lexton Downy, Emery Downy Keiston Downy, Dominic Sanchez, Ellie Baeza. Sister-in-law; Mary Heredia. Bob will also be forever remembered by his numerous nieces, nephews and extended family, Shrine family and dear friends.
The family would like to say a special thank you to all the nurses and staff at Houston Hospice-Texas Medical Center, specifically, Cynthia Nordt - Vice President of Development and External Affairs, Ramona Thompson – Hospice Intake and Svanhaniel Crim - Hospice Admissions Nurse, Dr. Thuy Tran – Hospice Primary Care Doctor, for all your kindness, compassion and loving care, not only to Mr. Bob but to our entire family, making his last few days with us as comfortable as possible. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that you make a contribution to Houston Hospice - Texas Medical Center or Shriners Hospitals for Children, on behalf of Bobbie Joe Short (Mr. Bob).
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