Tom was a dedicated and faithful member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Orange, VA. He earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Elon College and later earned a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Virginia. Tom dedicated much of his life to education, serving first as a teacher and then as a school administrator in the Orange County School System. He was the principal of Prospect Heights Middle School, Lightfoot Elementary School, and Locust Grove Elementary School, and later became the Headmaster of Grymes Memorial School. In 2015, Tom received the Orange County Lifetime Achievement Award for Education.

In addition to his career, Tom had a wide range of interests, including a passion for motorcycle riding and snow skiing. He was also a creative and skilled craftsman, often working with his hands to build projects or explore other artistic endeavors.

Tom leaves behind his two sons, Thomas E. Short III and his wife, Jennifer, and William R. Short; his daughter, Elizabeth S. Dunn and her husband, Jared; two sisters, Julia Greer and Robin Angle and her husband, George; one brother, William “Bill” Short and his wife, Martha; five grandchildren, Thomas Short, Katherine Short, Madeleine Short, Reno Dunn, and Alina Dunn; as well as many nieces, nephews, and other loved ones.

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 P.M. Friday, February 7, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home Chapel in Madison, VA by Rev. Joshua D. Munnikhuysen with reception to follow. Graveside services will be conducted 11:00 A.M. Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens in Roanoke, VA. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M. Thursday, February 6, 2025 at Preddy Funeral Home in Madison, VA.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to the Cleo Perdue Short Memorial Scholarship Fund:

Information about the scholarship fund: https://ocedfoundationva.org/scholarship-short

Contributions can be made online at: https://charlottesville.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/list

(Search "Cleo" to donate.)

Please make checks payable to CACF with the name of the fund in the memo line (Cleo Perdue Short Memorial Scholarship Fund), and mail to: 

Charlottesville Area Community Foundation, P.O. Box 1767, Charlottesville, VA 2202.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the many friends and caregivers who offered support during Tom’s life.