Donald (Don) Thomas Short On November 8, 2019, Don passed peacefully into Heaven after a short battle with lung cancer that was unrelated to his previous battle with cancer. He was 73 years old. He passed at Hospice of Union County where his last days were made as comfortable as possible by the loving and caring staff at the Hospice House. Don was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, on September 23, 1946. He was the second son of Glenn and Hazel Short. He grew up attending the First Alliance Church of Charlotte, in which his parents were charter members. He attended West Mecklenburg High School and graduated in 1966. While in high school, he worked as an electrician apprentice. After graduating high school, he joined the United States Navy. He served on both the USS John F. Kennedy and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt aircraft carriers. He worked in the Electrical Indicating Branch of the Avionics & Reconnaissance Division where he worked on the RA-5C aircraft. While in the Navy, he received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. He was honorably discharged in 1971. After leaving the Navy, he moved with his wife, Sharon, and baby daughter back to Charlotte, North Carolina. He began his career as a dental service technician with Thompson Dental Company. He worked briefly for Patterson Dental before continuing his career with Henry Schein. The dental community truly showered Don with love and encouragement for his many years of service and friendship. He was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn and Hazel Short, and a younger brother, Mike Short. He is survived by a daughter Lisa Coley and husband Joe, a son Chuck Short, a grandson Mark Quinton, Jr., a brother Robert Short and wife Leeann, his former wife Sharon Short, Brian Williams who was like a son, several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A graveside service will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, November 16, 2019, at Forest Lawn East Cemetery, 3700 Forest Lawn Dr., Matthews, NC 28104. Don was an all around master mechanic who could fix anything and would do anything to help others. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. Holland Funeral Service & Crematory is caring for the Short family.