DEWITT LANE SHORT
was born on March 7, 1929, in Tulsa, Okla., and died in Little Rock on February 2, 2024. He spent his final day as he did many others during his lifetime, surrounded by his loving family.
As a boy, Dewitt’s family moved several times, finally settling in Little Rock in 1943. His dad was an interior designer, painter, and specialty wallpaper hanger; he would take De to National trade conventions, where De would dress and act the part of the Little Dutch Boy for Dutch Boy paints. While attending Little Rock High School (now Central High), De played clarinet in the marching band. Graduating in 1947, he married Carolyn Jane Goodrich. Together they raised four children in Cammack Village, Ark.
He spent most of his career working for Ottenheimer Brothers, which later became Kellwood Co. In 1973, De was transferred to Asheville, N.C. He and Carolyn then moved to Ballwin, Mo., in 1975, and to Checotah, Okla., in 1979. Upon De’s retirement, they moved back home to Little Rock. Dewitt is predeceased by his parents, Edward Ellsworth and Gladys Porter Short; his wife of 66 years, Carolyn; as well as a younger sister, Ione Esther, who died as an infant; and his only daughter, Kathy Jane Short Gravis.
Dewitt is survived by three sons and their wives, Dewitt Jr. “Sonny” (Lottie) of Maumelle, Russell (Sarah) of Little Rock, and David (Deborah) of Bentonville. Also surviving is De’s soninlaw, Roger Gravis; as well as brother-in-law, Bill Goodrich and his wife, Deanne.
Dewitt and Carolyn were also proud grandparents to Alan Short (Kelly) of Pendleton, Ind., Tal Short (Emily) of Foxboro, Mass., Rusty Short (Amanda) of Little Rock, Holt Short (Katie) of Little Rock, Jennifer Brown (Shawn) of Bartlesville, Okla., Melissa Smith (Drew) of Rogers, Katy White (Greg) of Woodbridge, Va., and Mary Carolyn Gravis Ward (Dan) of Dallas, Texas. Great-grandchildren include Julianna, Cooper, Stella, and Henry Short of Pendleton, Grayson Short of Foxboro, Caleb, Lauren, Avery, and Owen Short of Little Rock, Addie and Dani Brown of Bartlesville, Penny, Camden, and Jordan Smith of Rogers, and Colin and Jacob White of Woodbridge.
Dewitt and Carolyn’s favorite times were yearly vacations on the beach at Perdido Key, Fla., where the entire family would gather. De also enjoyed playing golf and coaching his sons’ various sports teams, and in his retirement he delivered blood to area hospitals for the American Red Cross. He and Carolyn were active members of local Methodist churches in every place they lived.
Memorials may be made in his honor to the American Red Cross of Arkansas. Visit online guestbook at smithfamilycares.com.