Doyle "Skipper" was always a precocious child, ever the one to be the leader and take charge. His mother would have us laughing as she told of the time that something was burning in the oven. Racing to the kitchen, there she found Skip's training potty pushed to the back of the oven rack, melted all over! He hated it, so he decided to hide it!

Doyle attended Pascal High School and was never short on friends. He was quick to laugh and even quicker to smile. He was very active in sports, particularly baseball, having started in little league and keeping at it for many years to become a really excellent catcher.  Skipper was very industrous, always one to have a summer job until one day, he began working for the Star Cafe and in downtown Fort Worth. Working his way from bus-boy to manager by the time he was 18 years old, he proved his worth to Mr. Boles, eventually becoming part owner. Skip always too pride in his work, giving it his all. 

From there, he entered into a partnership again to run The Packing House, working tirelessly to get it off the ground and make it a success along with Mr. Boles, his long time friend and mentor. 

Throughout the course of his 53 years, Dolye had 2 exceptional children who did not see their busy father as often as they would have liked. Skipper loved his parents and tried his best to assist them where he could whether it be helping with the lawn or giving his mom a lift from school. In this, he was only matched by the devotion of his brother Donnie, who still looks after his parents with diligence and great love. 

When Skipper's stroke occurred, we had lost all hope of recovery, his lifeless body in a comma with no response to stimuli. On the day he was to be removed from life support, the doctor leaned over him and said, "Doyle, if you are in there, better let me know now." His parents and the medical staff looked on disbelievingly as Skip gave a thumbs up. Paralyzed on the left side of his body, almost blind and unable to keep anything down, the long trial of recovery almost killed him several times over. But, he perservered. Not only did he keep on plugging, but he did it with a smile, no matter how sick he was. Even living in his own personal hell, Doyle Short, Jr. faced his adversity with a wide smile. The stroke did not beat him. It was he who beat the stroke by continuing to smile no matter where life took him. 

Rest in peace my dearest cousin. I will never forget the times we played growing up together. I will never forget the "brother" who would have knocked down anyone who tried to harm me. I will ~never~ forget that smile that would light up any room.