Paul Lee Shortt

Paul E. Lee Shortt, Richlands ? 72, left his earthly vessel on April 10, 2006 at Clinch Valley Medical Center surrounded by his family and friends. He fought a long and brave battle against an insidious disease, multiple myeloma. He showed great courage while in the presence of others, his pain was never an excuse to turn away a visitor. Mr. Shortt was born November 17, 1933 in Baptist Valley to Business Owner and Farmer Terry Shortt and his wife Martha Davis Short. Mr. Shortt was the youngest son out of fourteen children, his late brothers and sisters were Ethel Billings, Edgar Smith, Bertha Smith, Nancy Hess, Edna Rasnake, Rosie Shortt, Luther Shortt, Walter Shortt, Noah Shortt, Roy Shortt, Jim Shortt, John Shortt, and his only surviving sibling, Herbert Shortt. Mr. Shortt served in the United States Army in the 3rd Armored Division Tank Corps in West Germany and Ft. Hood, Texas. It was in the army where Mr. Shortt developed his well-known skills operating tracked vehicles. In 1954 he married Bettye Jane Cordle of Raven and they established a home in the Middle Creek community. A son, Michael Lee Shortt (now of Savannah, Georgia) and a daughter, Paula Diane Shortt Egleston (now of Oak Ridge, NC) were born to the couple. For many years Mr. Shortt operated several Shell gasoline stations in the Richlands area, most notably the City Shell Station that sat across from the Flanery Theater. Paul Shortt was a regular competitor for many years in the sport of drag racing where he campaigned his beloved 1965 GTO, which he still owned at the time of his death. In 1967 Mr. Shortt remarried, his second wife was Georgia Louise Case Shortt and they moved to his current home in Long Branch. It was in that happy home where they raised two children, again a son, Paul Lee Shortt, Jr. (now of Clarksville, TN) and a daughter, Bobbie Jo Shortt (now of Clarksville, TN). It was during this period that Mr. Shortt sold his businesses and established Shortt Construction Company, which specialized in land clearing and property development. Many other developers, land speculators and homeowners in Tazewell County contracted Mr. Shortt during the thirty-five years that he operated his business working at the controls of heavy equipment. His skills were well-known in the area and on many occasions he succeeded where others had said it couldn?t be done, he was always most proud of his work in helping to establish the Hidden Valley subdivision. Among his other hobbies, Mr. Shortt raised Texas Longhorn Cattle and thoroughly enjoyed the daily rituals of caring for his small herd. Late in life, Mr. Shortt married Nancy Vance , her loving companionship gave him much joy and she offered great support and encouragement while he valiantly fought his illness. In his last months, her constant presence and devoted attention was of great comfort to him. Mr. Shortt was a Christian man and served as a Gideon, his mission to spread the teachings of the Bible were always of great importance to him. He was a friend to many and always had time to lend an ear to his family and friends. Survivors include His children and their spouses; Michael and Joni Shortt, Paula and Paul Egleston,, Paul Jr. and Laura, and Bobbie Jo, as well as two grandchildren, Paul Egleston, Jr. and Christiana Emily Egleston, brother Herbert Shortt and many nieces and nephews survive him. They will all miss their father, grandfather, brother and uncle very much. As the proverb says, "We come and cry and that is life, we cry and go and that is death." The tears will dry but our memories will live in our hearts forever. Visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 from 6p.m. until 9p.m. at the Hurst-Scott Funeral Home, Religious services will be held at the Hurst-Scott Funeral home on Thursday, April 13, 2006 at 11:00 am with the Rev. Max Linkous officiating. His body will be laid to rest in the Clinch Valley Cemetery near the remains of his Mother and Father. His soul left us at the time of his death and now resides in a place far better than any earthly location. Remembrances should be made in his name to the American Cancer Society or Hospice Care