Lt Colonel Charles J. "Charlie" Short Lakewood, NY – Charlie Short, a career officer of the United States Air Force, died May 8, 2026 at home with family by his side. He was 88 years old.

Charlie was born March 15, 1938 in Manhattan, NY and spent his boyhood in Ronkonkoma, Long Island, NY. He attended Clarkson College of Technology, Potsdam, NY and after graduation in 1960 was drafted into the US Army. Following his dream to fly, he elected to enlist in the US Air Force, then was selected for Officer Training School and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant June 1961. He attended navigator training and went on to fly worldwide missions in C-124 cargo hauling aircraft from Dover AFB, DE, then C-141 transport missions from McChord AFB, WA. He then cross-trained into F-4 fighter bomber aircraft and flew 127 combat missions in the Vietnam War. He returned to McChord AFB to fly C-141s once again and perform operational staff duties, followed by a planning job at Headquarters Military Airlift Command, Scott AFB, IL. He was then selected to attend Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL, with a follow-on assignment to US Readiness Command, MacDill AFB, FL to plan contingency airlift missions. His final assignment was with Headquarters Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, GA.

His military decorations include three Distinguished Flying Crosses, three Meritorious Service Medals, nine Air Medals, Air Force Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, two Combat Readiness Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Medal with eight devices, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and several other campaign ribbons and badges.

Colonel Short retired from the Air Force June 1989 after 28 years of service and settled in Byron, GA where he continued his public service as an elected City Council member, then as Director of Public Works for the City of Byron. He retired again in June 2003 but continued to serve as a volunteer for many community projects. He served as President and Secretary of the Byron Lions Club and was awarded Lionism's highest honor – Melvin Jones Fellow. As Chairman of the Board, then President of the Byron Area Historical Society, he spearheaded several community improvements, most notably the Veterans Memorial at the City Memorial Complex. Additionally, he served as President of the Middle Georgia Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and was a life-time member of the American Legion.

Charlie enjoyed retirement life in Georgia spending time "working" in his backyard, tending to his KOI fishpond, wild bird sanctuary, and majestic trees. He attended Byron United Methodist Church, enjoyed traveling, reading history books, and drinking chocolate milk shakes. After 35 years in Georgia, he moved to Washington State and settled into a comfortable senior living apartment lifestyle – close to daughter Julie and grandson Aaron, as well as son Roy and his family. Five years later he and his wife, a Jamestown native, together with their daughter and grandson, moved to Lakewood, NY to be closer to family and friends. A quiet gentleman with a great sense of humor, Charlie loved birds, trees, koi fish, cats, ice cream and the Atlanta Braves, but most of all he loved his friends and family.

Colonel Short was preceded in death by his father Joseph John Short who was killed in action during World War II on Anzio Beachhead, Italy. His mother "Sunny" died July 1996 and his younger brother Edward passed away April 2020.

Survivors include his wife Connie Marker (of 54 years); sons Col (USAF Ret) Lary Short (Kelly) of Keller TX, Roy Short (Dana) of Lake Forest Park WA, and John Short (Lindsay) of Scottdale GA, and daughter CDR (USN Ret) Julie Lundstad, of Lakewood NY; and grandchildren: Sydney, Presley, & Serafina Short, and Aaron Lundstad.

A Celebration of Charlie's Life will be held in Byron GA on July 11th, 2026 and a graveside burial with Military Honors will be held at Lake View Cemetery at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors or Hospice.