Daniel Lee Short

Daniel Lee Short, 77, passed peacefully on June 9, 2025, at Commonwealth Senior Living in South Boston, Virginia. His life was characterized by a strong work ethic, deep love for his family, a silly sense of humor, his signature baseball cap, and a love for spending time at the beach. He will be missed dearly by his family.

Dan (“Danny” to his family and close friends) was born on May 20,1948, in Slayton, Minnesota. He was the fourth of five siblings. He enjoyed competing in school athletics and assisting with the family-owned school and charter bus business.  Dan attended the University of Minnesota for a year and then joined the Navy, where he served 4 years primarily in Corpus Christi, Texas, working as an “Airdale” or aircraft mechanic. Following the Navy, Dan returned to Slayton where he assisted his parents at the Ridotto Inn and attended classes at Southwest Minnesota State University, graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Business. During this time, he met his wife of over 50 years, Lin.  She remembers his wonderful green eyes, him often surprising her with roses, and especially his love for his family.  They were married in Slayton to the sound of race cars revving their engines at the local speedway. Dan loved bow hunting and hanging out with (and playing tricks on) his friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his friend Dick, playing cribbage and mastering card tricks, a talent he later used to amaze his children.

After their marriage, Dan and Lin moved to South Minneapolis where Dan took a position as a Toy Buyer with Target. Over the course of the next 7 years, the couple spent their free time restoring a 1920’s home to its former glory, doing most of the work themselves. The renovation sparked a lifelong interest in woodworking, and he went on to build a dollhouse for “his girls,” bookshelves, and even a picturesque arbor.  After welcoming their first daughter, MacKenzie, the young family moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where they welcomed their second daughter, Kendall. Dan continued to thrive in the retail world, preferring smaller, family-owned companies.  His work required frequent and lengthy travel to Asia and all over the United States. He spent most of his career sourcing and developing products, training buyers and building business relationships with colleagues in China.

After moving to Ohio then Kansas, the family settled in Raleigh, North Carolina. Dan spent the last 25 years of his career with Variety Wholesalers as a Senior Merchandise Manager. When not working, he loved the simpler pleasures: taking daily walks, playing rounds of golf (or heading to the driving range with whichever of the girls he could convince to go with him), boogie boarding at Emerald Isle, savoring giant bowls of ice cream or popcorn with his family, or relaxing outside with a glass of wine under the twinkle lights of his favorite fake palm tree. He was always quick to tell his family he loved them and was proud of them, but he especially liked to make people smile and laugh. We will all miss his eye-roll-inducing puns, his signature wink, and his contagious giggle.

Dan is survived by Lin, the love of his life and his caregiver for 8 years of his long Alzhiemers journey; his daughters MacKenzie Short (Chris End) and Kendall Stensvad (Bryan); his four grandchildren Madeleine, Vivian, Michael, and Adelaide; his sister Patricia Malinowski (Nicholai “Nick”); his brother Dale Short (Margaret “Peggy”); as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents John J. and Gretta J. Short; his older brothers Robert (“Bob”) and Roger Short; his aunt Margaret (Marg) Short, with whom he loved to chat on his long rides home from work.

Heartfelt thanks go to the exceptional staff of Soltys Place Adult Day Health Program of Hillsborough, North Carolina, and Commonwealth Senior Living of South Boston, Virginia, for their tireless care and support of Dan in the final year and a half of his life. Additional thanks go to 1st Care at Home Hospice of South Boston for their compassion in ensuring Dan’s last few days were as comfortable as possible.

Per Dan’s wishes, there will be no public service. Lin, MacKenzie, and Kendall and their families plan to spread his ashes over the waters off the coast of Emerald Isle, Dan’s “happy place,” at a later date. His grandchildren request that you instead celebrate Dan’s life by remembering him over a giant bowl of ice cream while telling cheesy jokes.  May Dan’s memory be a blessing to all who knew and loved him. In lieu of flowers or gifts, those wishing to honor Dan’s memory are asked to consider a donation to one of the following organizations:

Alzheimer’s Foundation of America

Celiac Disease Foundation

Local Food Bank

Meals on Wheels

Charity of your choice