Norman Gail Short

Norman Gail Short, age 77, passed away on January 12, 2015 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Funeral services will be held at Scott’s Funeral Home on Saturday, January 17, 2015 at 10:30 AM in Gatesville, TX. Interment will follow at Pearl Cemetery in Pearl, TX with a reception at the Pearl Community Center. Norman was born on August 1, 1937 to Mark and Lorena Pearl Short of Purmela, Texas. He graduated Salutatorian from Pearl High School in 1955, and shortly thereafter joined the Navy. He concluded his Navy service as a 2nd Class Petty Officer of the Helicopter Submarine Squadron on the USS Kearsarge which inspired his lifelong love of flying. Shortly before his discharge from the service, he met and married the love of his life, Darlene Lenore Curry in 1963. He later earned his certification as a pilot examiner and taught flying lessons for 8 years. He continued his career with the Texas Parks and Wildlife, first as a pilot investigator, then as the very first pilot game warden in the state of Texas. He was the oldest person to date, at the age of 43, to graduate from the Game Warden Academy, an honor he held with pride. With his turbo charged Cessna fitted with surveillance cameras, he was able to support the wildlife biologist in wildlife counts as well as being an “eye in the sky” for game wardens searching for gill nets, poachers, illegal shrimpers, and other resource violators. He was also privileged to assist the Coast Guard with locating and rescuing missing boaters. He retired from the Parks and Wildlife in 1995. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Pearl Short; his wife, Darlene Short; his brother, Gerald Short; and his sister, Sharon Ellison. He is survived by his daughters, Nova Sbrusch and husband, Steven of Richmond, Lorena Unger and husband, Richard of Friendswood, and Darla Randolph and husband, Randy of Belton; brother, Lonnie Short and wife, Brenda of Eddy; and grandchildren, Remington, Mackenzie, Katarina, Donovan, and Gavin; and many nieces and nephews. The family would like to express their sincere thanks to all family and friends for all prayers, help, and support given in his long battle with Alzheimer’s. It has meant a lot to know how many people cared. We would like to ask that in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association, Houston and Southeast Texas Chapter, 2242 West Holcombe Blvd, Houston, Texas 77030.