Gary William Short, 67

Gary William Short, 67, was called home to heaven on Saturday evening, Aug. 6, 2005, in Couer d'Alene, Idaho after fighting cancer for many months.

A visitation will be held from 1-6 pm, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2005, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel.

Funeral services will be held at 11a.m., Friday, Aug. 12, 2005, at Coffelt's Moon Chapel in Sandpoint, Idaho, led by Pastor Eric Rust of Cedar Hills Church. Burial will follow at Pinecrest Memorial Park Cemetery.

Gary was born Jan. 26, 1938, in Topeka, Kan., the son of Leonard and Vada (Pollock) Short. He moved to San Dimas, Calif., with his family in 1951 and Graduated from High School in 1956. Gary then joined the United States Navy in 1957.

While stationed in California, he met the love of his life, Deanna Marie (Davis) Short whom he married on Sept. 2, 1960, while working on the USS Edwards. In 44 blessed years of marriage they moved often while raising their five children in the California/Arizona area eventually ending up in Sandpoint, Idaho, in 1975.

Gary loved his life. He loved running, fishing, gardening, an occasional game of poker, but most of all he loved his family. Gary was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather that was always there for his family. Everywhere he moved in his life he grew in friends and loved ones.Put simply, Gary loved to be with the people he loved. Needless to say, wherever Gary went he was surrounded by people who loved him as well.

In 1 Corinthians 2:9 the Apostle Paul writes "However, as it is written: 'no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind can conceive what God has prepared for those who love him." Gary loved the Lord with all his heart, mind and soul. He was baptized in Bullhead City, Ariz., and raised his children so that they might know the Lord as well.

Running was one of Gary's favorite activities. He ran to keep healthy. He ran for fun, but he also loved to compete which he did in the Kootenai River Run annually for the last years of his life. Gary's life was a race, which he ran for the Lord daily and now that he has finished the Lord has called him home.

Gary is survived by his wife Deanna Marie Short (Davis); one sister, Beverly Black of Cottonwood, Ariz.; five children; Butch Short and Donna (Driggs) of Bonners Ferry; Chip and Thoretta (Holt) Short of Sandpoint; Steve and RaLee (Richardson) Short of Eureka, Mont.; Suzie (Short) and Eric Johnson of Spokane, Wash.; Cindy (Short) and Martie Ryan of Bonners Ferry; 19 grandchildren; Sandy Short; Devryn Short; Shari Short; Jessica Short; Christopher and (Sara) Short; Bryan Short; Aaron Short; Jake Johnson; Michael Johnson; Jared Johnson; Ryan Johnson; Logan Johnson; Emily Johnson; Joseph Ryan; Katie Ryan; Danny Ryan; Nicole Short; Madison Short; Olivia Short; and two great-granddaughters; Bailey Short and Sierra Short.

Gary was preceded in death only by his parents.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Coffelt Funeral Service in Sandpoint, Idaho.