Jonathan A. Short's Obituary
Reverend Jonathan Albert Short
We celebrate the life and ministry of Jonathan Albert Short, an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. Beloved son of Ted and Mary Short, he was born in Honolulu, Hawaii on August 2, 1957. Heartbreakingly too soon, he joined his parents and older brother Jim in his Heavenly Home on November 30, 2018, surrounded by his loving wife Karen, children Kristen, Jon-Michael (Wyndi), and Lauren. His surviving siblings, Don (Anna), Bob (Julie), Anna (Doug Hanson) and Tom (Jenifer) were nearby, alongside many extended family members.
Jon graduated from Lincoln High School of Tacoma in 1975, marrying his sweetheart Karen E. Garl on April 21, 1979. They welcomed their daughter Kristen in 1982, followed by son Jon-Michael in 1985, with daughter Lauren arriving in 1987 to complete their family.
Jon’s life of ministry began early, serving as youth leader at his local church, Bethany United Methodist, and small group leadership at Ocean Park Camping and Retreat Center. Jon’s playful, fun-loving soul made him an excellent servant in youth ministry, with the added benefit of keeping him close to his own children as they grew.
Feeling the call to ordained ministry, Jon pursued a bachelor’s degree in communications at Pacific Lutheran University, then achieved his Master of Divinity at St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. He served as student pastor at First Christian Church of Kansas City before returning to the Pacific Northwest Conference, where he was associate pastor at Mason United Methodist Church (UMC). Following that charge, Jon served Federal Way UMC, then Kent UMC, and finally Vancouver UMC.
Jon served in many positions within the connectional system of the Pacific Northwest Conference, facilitating leadership in the Tacoma United Methodist Youth Team, the Conference Council on Youth Ministry, serving as conference secretary, and as co-chair of the Hope for the Children of Africa project. One of Jon’s great delights was being part of a mission team to the Jamaa Letu Orphanages in the Congo.
Jon inherited a love of music from his father; growing up, it was common for the family to gather around the piano as Ted played various tunes, harmonizing at will (sometimes pretty well!). He felt the connection of his heritage when he learned his maternal great-grandfather, Solomon Louis Ginsburg, had been a Southern Baptist Missionary in Brazil. Jon emulated his welcoming acceptance of others, showing the love and face of God to those he met.
It didn’t take long for those just meeting Jon to realize his love of puns and wordplay; the delight of language and all the meanings it could carry were a joy-filled avocation.
Jon’s generous nature led him to register as an organ donor; because of his gift, others will lead better lives, and some part of him will live on.
In celebration of Jon’s spirit, we ask you make remembrances in his name through the United Methodist Church to the Hope for the Children of Africa project, or to the United Methodist Committee on Relief.
As we remember and share all the ways our lives have been richer because of Jon, join us in laughter and tears at Mason United Methodist Church, 2710 N. Madison St., Tacoma, WA 98407, on December 29, 2018, beginning at 1:30 pm.
What’s your fondest memory of Jonathan?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jonathan?
Share a story where Jonathan's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jonathan you’ll never forget.
How did Jonathan make you smile?