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Merl Eugene Short dies at 94

Supported county fair, hit Utah Beach after D-Day
Merl Short shows off his restored 1956 Case tractor to granddaughter Marilyn Short, circa 2004. Short died Monday at the age of 94.

Whether it was the Durango School District 9-R Board of Education, the La Plata County Fair and Durango Chamber of Commerce boards or the Army during World War II, Merl Eugene Short believed in serving his community and country. He died Monday at his Sunnyside home at the age of 94.

“He was very dedicated to everything he did and expected the people he associated with to be the same,” said Edward Kutzleb, who was 9-R superintendent for 21 years, including the eight years, from 1966 to 1974, when Short was on the school board. “When he got on the board, the school at Sunnyside was a haphazard little building. He was determined and worked hard at getting a new building.”

Short was born to Alva and Belle Short on Feb. 8, 1920, on the family homestead in Sunnyside. One of 12 children, he graduated from Durango High School in 1938. After working as a carpenter for a time, he enlisted in the Army in February 1941. A surveyor and instrument technician, he was with an artillery unit that landed at Utah Beach at Normandy after it was taken and fought all the way to the Elbe River.

“He never missed a Veterans Day Parade,” his daughter, Karen Zink, said, “including this year, and he always saluted. Several years ago, he took his entire family, all of us, to Washington, D.C., to see the World War II Memorial. It was very important to him.”

Upon his discharge, Short purchased San Juan Implement, a Case Tractor and Ranch Supply Dealership. In 1958, he and his wife, Marilyn Mason Short, purchased the Mason family homestead at Sunnyside, where they became full-time ranchers and farmers.

“He was a good neighbor, too,” said Anne Putnam, who moved to Rainbow Springs in Sunnyside in 1974. “As a girl, I remember him always being around the fair; but when we moved nearby, he helped with support, advice and encouragement.”

Short was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge 507, the La Plata-Archuleta Cattlemen’s Association and Soil Conservation District. Not only was he active with his children’s Sunnylane 4-H Club, he was also involved for years with the La Plata 4-H Council.

An experienced carpenter, Short enjoyed spending time in his workshop and often refinished furniture for family members. He also enjoyed the outdoors, travel, dancing, riding horses and gardening.

In the end, Short’s lessons to his family and community were taught through his high character, moral values and service, his family said.

abutler@durangoherald.com

Memorial service

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom, 501 Camino del Rio.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Durango Education Foundation, 201 E. 12th St., Durango, CO 81301.

On March 5, 1949, he married Marilyn Lee Mason in Durango.

Mr. Short was preceded in death by his wife of almost 36 years, Marilyn Short.

He is survived by his children Karen Zink, Steve Short and Kevin Short, all of Durango; brother Lyle Short, of Durango and Phoenix; five grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.



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