Wesley Short Jr.

September 3, 1923 – December 12, 2014

Wesley “Wes” Potter Short Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Sequim, Washington, on December 12, 2014, at the age of 91.

Wes was born September 3, 1923, in Burbank, California.

He married Margaret Alice Benest in 1950 and had three boys.

Wes served in the Navy from 1943 to 1951. Service included WWII duty with 1st Cavalry and two years of that were in the South Pacific (Bismarck Archipelago) as a Signalman; then other ships and stations ending up on a destroyer.

After serving, Wes and Margaret returned to California and fire fighting, living in Burbank, Downey, and Tulare.

In 1977 they relocated to Snohomish County, Washington.

His fire service included Fire Chief of Snohomish Co. Fire District 1 and all other areas of fire service such as Fire Investigation, Prevention, Ladder trucks, etc.

In 1986, after retiring, Wes and Margaret moved to Sequim.

There Wes served on several committees at SPC, now Sequim Community Church, including Deacon, choir and choir president.

Wes loved all music and enjoyed playing the trumpet. He also enjoyed spending time working in his yard.

In 2002 Wes was elected Clallam County Fire Commissioner for District #3, and served a six year term.

Wes joined the Masons in 1963 and had just celebrated 51 years of membership.

He was part of numerous other community organizations including Kiwanis International and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

One of his favorite activities was having breakfast every Wednesday with “The Old Farts Club,” (fellow vets). Sharing memories, war stories and keeping our history alive, was very valuable to him.

We will miss him greatly and he will be forever in our hearts.

Surviving him are his beloved wife of 64 years, Margaret; one sister, Norma Jean Greppen of Simi Valley, California; sons, David (Jill ) of Fortuna, California, Mike (Novlina) of Everett, Washington, and Philip (Mary) of Seattle, Washington; grand daughters Sara and Rebecca; great-grandchildren Rachael, Joel and Titus.

Graveside Services were held Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Sequim View Cemetery in Sequim, Washington.

Gifts may be made to the Volunteer Hospice of Clallam County, 540 E. 8th Street, Port Angeles, WA 98362.