Flippin, Arkansas---Garld Short of Flippin, formerly of Iowa, died Sunday, October 6, 2002, at Twin Lakes Nursing Center (Marion County) after a very brief stay.  He was 90 years old.  Mr. Short was born March 9, 1912, in Beaconsfield, Iowa.  He was the son of Stephen A. Douglas Short and Cora Myrtle Hall Short.  He attended the First United Methodist Church of Grand River and was a 1930 graduate of Grand River High School.  He met Ardna Massey of the Woodland community on a blind date.  They were married in Leon, Iowa, on April 17, 1938. They attended the Leon Brethren Church where he professed his faith in Jesus and was baptized.

Mr. Short was predeceased by his parents, two brothers, Hallie Short and Roy "Bill" Short, two infant sisters, Alma Short and Flossie May Short, and a sister and a brother who each died on the same day of their birth.

Except for two brief moves, one to Des Moines and one to Torrington, Wyoming, Mr. Short lived the first 45 years of his life in the Decatur County area.  He was a farmer and also worked in the farm machinery business.

Business opportunities and warmer winter temperatures motivated Mr. Short to move his family to Arkansas in 1957.  Mr. Short loved to barter and trade. Over the years he owned numerous businesses in Marion and Baxter counties where he could use those skills, including a resort on Bull Shoals Lake, a dirt and gravel hauling business, a gas station, several farm machinery and used car dealerships, a furniture store, and a mobile home park.  After retirement, Mr. Short earned his real estate license and was an agent with Pioneer Realty for several years. 

Mr. Short was a member of Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church where he served over the years as Sunday School superintendent and elder.  He was a faithful member of the choir for over 40 years until deteriorating health prevented his participation. 

He was a regular patron of the Marion county Senior Center.

Mr. Short served on the school board of Flippin Public Schools and on the Flippin City Council. 

Mr. Short especially enjoyed returning to Iowa each year around Memorial Day to attend the Grand River High School Reunion.  He was a faithful attendee since the inception of the event through 2001 until illness made travel impossible.  He wrote an article on the history of the Grand River community that was published in one of the reunion commemorative books.

Mr. Short enjoyed swimming at Bull Shoals Lake and playing pool, checkers, dominoes, and various card games.  He also enjoyed working crossword puzzles and taking Sunday drives.  He enjoyed good health and was physically active right up to the last year of his life.

Mr. Short is survived by his wife of 64 years, Ardna, of the home, and his children:  From Flippin, Tarla Kilgore and Coyla Hudson and her husband Karldon; from Trussville, Alabama, Roger Short and his wife Jeri Sansom Short; and from Conway, Arkansas, Jill Hardin and her husband Richard.  He is also survived by his grandchildren Jeff Kilgore and Kelvin Hudson of Flippin, Gina Riggs of Midway, Devin Kilgore of Bull Shoals, Stephen Short and Chris Short of Trussville, Alabama, and Amy Hardin and Emily Hardin of Conway, Arkansas.  In addition, Mr. Short has 6 great-grandchildren, Kristen and Mandy Kilgore, Kalen and Trevan Hudson, Hannah Davis, and Morgan Kilgore, and one step great-grandchild, Corrina Riggs.  Mr. Short is also survived by his niece Hallie Short Dale and her husband Charles of Flippin.

Local survivors include cousin Dale Short of Decatur; great-nephews Herman Short, Randy Short and Robin Short of Osceola; and great-niece Judy Dale Short of Osceola and many extended family members.

Services were Wednesday, October 9, 2002, at Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church.  Interment was at Flippin Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bull Shoals Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 687, Bull Shoals, AR  72619.

Arrangements were by Baxter County Funeral Home and Cremation Society.