Ralph "Dale" Short's Obituary
Ralph Dale Short of Gumboro, DE passed at his home on August 25, 2023, surrounded by his family. Ralph was born in Gumboro, Delaware on March 31, 1939. He is preceded by his father, Earl P. Short, and mother, Violet Short, of Gumboro; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Elisha H. Truitt and Ethel M. Truitt of Millsboro, DE; and his brothers-in-law: William Truitt, Phillip D. Truitt, and William Graves. He is survived by his wife of sixty-four years, Evelyn A. Short; his son, Ronald D. Short (Gail J. Short) of Gumboro, DE; his three grandchildren: Jennifer V. Schwerin (Kenneth D. Schwerin III) of Selbyville, Cassandra A. Brosnahan (Eric H. Brosnahan) of Gumboro, DE, and Randy D. Short (Jessica Scovell) of Gumboro, DE; and four greatgrandchildren: Kenneth D. Schwerin IV, Kaleb D. Schwerin, Emma G. Brosnahan, and Liam B. Brosnahan. He also leaves behind his brother Carl L. Short (Hannah Short) of Gumboro, DE; his niece, Teri Hastings (Clay) and her son Collin Hastings of Gumboro, DE; his sister-in-law Jeanette Graves, and brother-in-law Everett L. (Jake) Truitt (Lois), and sister-in-law Rose DiTondo (Michael).
Ralph Dale Short was born and passed away in the same home in Gumboro, DE. He served in the Delaware National Guard from 1960 to 1964, when he was honorably discharged. Ralph was in the first National Guard vehicle to enter Fenwick Island, DE during the Northeastern storm of 1962.
Ralph was passionate about farming on his family’s farm with his wife Evelyn and grew and produced poultry from 1966 until 2004 in their three poultry houses in Gumboro, DE. He and his wife, Evelyn, earned numerous awards for their poultry farm, which included 1971 and 1972 Top Broiler Producer from Perdue Farms Inc., 1979 Outstanding Broiler Grower from Paramount Poultry, 1995 Outstanding Broiler Grower from Townsends, Inc., and 1997 Outstanding Poultry Producer from Townsends, Inc. Ralph and his wife also produced grain on their family farm for decades. He worked for Collins & Ryan from 1957 to 1965, then for Dupont & Nylon Factory in Seaford, DE from September 1965 to October of 1966, and again for Collins & Ryan from 1966 to 1971.
Ralph further enjoyed attending local auctions, watching baseball, football, and Nascar racing, and riding his tractors on his farm. In his younger years, he enjoyed camping with his family on Assateague Island. His favorite things in the world were Christmas morning, and spending time with his family. Ralph held a love for his small hometown Gumboro, DE.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, at 11:00 AM at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St, Millsboro, DE 19966, where friends may call beginning at 10:00 AM. Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Ralph’s memory to the Gumboro Community Center, 28649 Millsboro Highway, Millsboro, DE 19966. The Gumboro Community Center helps to give back to locals in the town of Gumboro, DE, as well as host community events to bring the community together.
Please visit Ralph’s Life memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at www.watsonfuneralhome.com.
FLORISTS - FLOWERS NEED TO BE DELIVERED TO THE FUNERAL HOME BETWEEN 2:30 & 3:30 pm
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