Ralph Eugene Short Jr. was born in Faith, S.D., on September 15, 1929, to Ralph and Ardeth Joy (McGinnis) Short. He grew up near Deep Creek and attended country school at Cottonwood until they moved to town (Faith) in 1942. He attended school in Faith until he decided he wanted to explore other prospects.

He served with the U.S. Army 1951-1953. While serving he graduated from Parachute school at Fort Benning, GA, and also served as the General's personal chauffer.

Ralph worked various jobs over the years to include the moleadnium mine in Leadville, CO, Homestake Mining Company in Lead, S.D., the state department in Faith, Short Construction in Sturgis, the Vansickel ranch near Opal, and finally ended up as a star route mail carrier based in Faith beginning in 1966. After 38 years and 2 million 98 thousand miles he retired from the mail route where he made many lifelong friends.

He married Delores Schumaker in August 1971, who had three children Jimmy, Debbie, and Donna. They had a son, Terry Allen, who was born June 18, 1972.

Ralph was President of the S.D. Star Route Association and a state delegate for the National conventions numerous terms. In addition to delivering mail, he earned a reputation as the go-to-guy for repairs on air conditioners, appliances, and cars (among other things). He also enjoyed going to the state auctions and brought home many cars with his maximum "car lot" reaching 15.

Surviving are Jim (Winnie) Storm of Fruita, CO, Deb Storm (Steve Larson) of Atlanta, GA, and Donna (Theran) Wicks of Longmont, CO; eight grandchildren, Katie (Kevin) Lemas of Arvada, CO, and Cole Storm of Elko, NV, Kim & Tyler Soenksen, Krista (Fabien) Garcia of Atlanta, GA, and Adam Larson of San Antonio, TX, Jace Wicks of Lincoln, NE, and Brenna Wicks of Longmont, CO; one great-grandchild Frank Lemas of Arvada, CO; one brother Dave (Sherryl) Short of Winston, OR, three sisters Hazel Vansickel of Sturgis, Mary (Jack) Roth of Fort Morgan, CO, and Tense (Booge) Lemmel of Sturgis; one sister-in-law Dorothy Short of Sturgis; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife Delores, his son Terry, one brother Robert, one brother-in-law Charles Vansickel, and his mother & father

Visitation will be 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. with the family present from 4 p.m. until 6 p.m. at the Kinkade Funeral Chapel on Thursday and will resume 11:00 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Friday.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 14, 2014 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. Burial follows at the Bear Butte Cemetery.

A memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

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