Ronald Lee Short Jr.

Wasilla resident Ronald Lee Short Jr., 45, died Nov. 26, 2010, at home from a heart attack.

Funeral services are 3 p.m., Dec. 9, at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check Street, Wasilla. Pastor Micky Boyer of Palmer Church of the Nazarene will officiate. Visitation is from 2 to 3 p.m. preceding the service.

Ronald was born Aug. 7, 1965, in Seattle, Wash. He completed high school and three years of college courses. He came to Alaska in 1994 and resided in Palmer until 1997, at which time he moved to Wasilla. He was employed by ASRC Energy Services and was a heavy equipment diesel mechanic in operations and maintenance from 2001 to 2010.

Ron was born premature, tiny and weak, but he grew to have a giant footstep. He loved life, his family, his friends, his work and his hobbies. He made vehicles hum with perfection and houses beam with his woodworking and construction skills. His home is where he played guitar and relaxed in his hot tub. Outside, he fished, hunted, camped and hiked — always with family and friends around him to share his joy.

“Full of energy, always ready for a new adventure, Ron had a hand in nearly every project a member of his family (and friends) undertook,” the family wrote. “He has fingerprints on nearly everything we own, a place marker showing he was not only here, but a beloved part of all the lives that moved around him. Ron lived large, never wasting a breath and made himself the foundation of his family. He embraced life, the love of his wife, children and the goodness of his friends. We thank the Lord for his presence in our lives and we will miss having him here, but will never give up the part of his that he has made ours.”

Surviving are his spouse, Kimberly K. Short; sons, Christian L. Short, Ronald L. Short III and Justin J. Short; daughter, Amber Ruth Ann Short; parents, Don and Linda Landreth; sisters, Anne Brown and Charlynn Hansen; brother, Victor Short; and granddaughter, Iris Nova Short. He was preceded in death by his paternal father, Ronald L. Short Sr.