Obituary of Ralph Eugene Shorts

In loving memory of Ralph Eugene “Gene” Shorts, 79, of El Paso, TX and Titusville, PA. Born February 15, 1937 in Venango County, Pennsylvania. Born to Ethel Shreffler and Ralph Henninger Shorts. Died Thursday, August 18, 2016. Ralph was preceded in passing by an infant daughter Cristy, father Ralph H. Shorts, mother Ethel Shorts, and Sister Helen Jordan. Ralph is succeeded by his wife of 60 years, Carol; brother Sam Shorts, Sisters Nancy Young and Shirley Ross, his children, grandchildren, cousins, nieces, and nephews. He loved his wife, his children; both blood and “adopted” and his close friends very dearly. Those that knew him will attest that he would do anything for a loved one, or a stranger, even if that meant giving up something he treasured or needed. He loved to cook and loved to eat well. Ralph was a jokester and loved to laugh. He was a true wheeler/dealer and was artful at making a deal. For most of Ralph’s time growing up and as an adult in Pennsylvania he was more commonly known as “Gene.” In his late 20’s and early 30’s he became increasingly interested in and involved in Amateur and Ham Radio communications as well as CB Radio communication. In the CB world one adopts a radio name or ‘handle.’ Ralph chose the handle ‘The Dutchman.’ From that point on many near and far came to know him simply as ‘Dutch.’ For much of Ralph’s childhood he was raised in a rural setting on a large farm outside of Titusville, PA. He and his siblings, especially brother Sam, became expert woodsmen and exceptional hunters. In that time the animals taken were very needed for the family’s table. Ralph was very active in high school sports, particularly wrestling and football. He was a three year varsity letterman in both sports for the Titusville Rockets in Titusville, PA. He loved automobiles and loved driving fast. Ralph was a very hard worker from an early age. As a youth he tirelessly helped on the home farm. He worked various jobs all the while he was in high school. He purchased his first vehicle with funds from his jobs at the age of 16, but as it was customary then, he was driving long before he obtained a license at age 16. Ralph was a very skilled craftsman/tradesman and entrepreneur. In his lifetime he worked in various positions and companies; GE Locomotive in Erie, PA working as a tradesman. He owned his own small electronics business named Shorts’ Electronics in Hydetown, PA. While living in El Paso he was employed as a manufacturing engineer at a manufacturing plant in Juarez, Mexico. He worked for a military contractor at Ft. Bliss, TX where he constructed specialized weapon mounting systems. He loved his time as a tradesman at the Hasbro-Tonka Toy factory in El Paso; of course the kid in him was in his element. His final post before retirement was with Karr Tool as a tool & die maker. Ralph married the love of his life at an early age, and she, Carol Upton, even younger than he; 19 years and 17 years respectively. Ralph and Carol shared a wonderful life together for just over 60 blessed years having celebrated that milestone anniversary in April of this year 2016. Ralph and Carol lived in a few different locations that reached far; from Titusville, to Erie, to a short time in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to El Paso, Texas. Ralph is the father to three children, Michael, wife Nancy; Jill, husband John; and Randall, wife Linda and grandfather to six; Marlin, Nathaniel, Aleea, Trevor, Caleb, and Elijah. Ralph’s love extended beyond just his own three children. Being actively involved in exchange student programs; AFS, Rotary, and independent, Ralph and his family hosted a number of exchange students from several countries and sent two of his children abroad on exchange. Gino Jimenez, Bencho Jimenez, Fernando Romo, Lorena Zuniga, Alceo Chiesse, and Jaime & Erika Gonzalez are the names of exchange students and family members that Ralph called sons and daughters and who called him Dad or Dutch. Ralph’s passion was his time with radios of all kinds, and especially in the last several years his love of designing, constructing, and erecting radio antennas. In his large back yard in El Paso ‘Dutch’ had an array of antennas that allowed him to literally ‘talk around the world.’ The Masonic brotherhood was a treasured part of his life. Ralph attained a 32nd degree level within the Masonic Lodge and very much loved his Masonic brothers in his original home lodge in Titusville and later in El Paso. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home 303 N. Washington St., Titusville, PA 16354 on Thursday from 6 to 8 PM. A private family internment will be in Sunnyside Cemetery, Centerville on Saturday. Memorial contributions can be made to LA Mariposa Hospice Care at 1250 E. Cliff Dr., El Paso, TX 79902 or to a charity of one’s choice.