Jack Everett Short's Obituary
Jack Everett Short, 82, passed away on Sunday, October 1, 2023. He passed peacefully and comfortably with his family by his side. Jack was preceded in death by his mother, Virgie (Smith) Short, and his father, Walter Short, both originally from Jenks, OK, and his brother, Phillip. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Scharmayne (Brown), his sons and daughters-in-law, Kevin and Caci Short of Jenks, OK, and Todd and Kate Short of Libertyville, IL, along with his grandchildren, Courtney, Kaylee, Ryan, Morgan and Tyler.
Jack was born in Tulsa, OK, on February 28, 1941. His early childhood began in Jenks. His family moved to Maracaibo, Venezuela, in 1948 with the Standard Oil Company where they resided until Jack began high school at the Oklahoma Military Academy (’59) entering their Hall of Fame in 2005. He attended the University of Oklahoma earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting in 1964.
Jack was a great colleague and friend to many in the Tulsa and Oklahoma community. Jack began his career at Warren Petroleum Company in 1966 where he met Scharmayne. He dutifully served in the Army National Guard from 1966-1972 with an honorable discharge. He began his Public Accounting career in 1968 at Lybrand, Ross Brothers & Montgomery. He spent five years (’82-’87) working for Parker Drilling with Mr. Bob Parker and family. He rejoined Coopers & Lybrand, in 1987 becoming the Managing Partner for the Oklahoma Practice in 1990. Coopers & Lybrand merged with Pricewaterhouse in 1998 to form PricewaterhouseCoopers where he retired in 2001. He had the privilege of meeting with Mayors, Governors, United States Presidents, and foreign dignitaries throughout his career.
Jack’s influence on the Tulsa community was significant throughout his life and professional career. He demonstrated his love for Jenks, Tulsa, and Oklahoma. He served on both non-profit and for-profit boards, providing tax and financial expertise and building community relationships to improve their standing and financial capacity in the areas they served. He served as a Board member for many organizations, including the Oklahoma Society of CPA’s, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa Area Salvation Army, Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Area United Way, Citizens Crime Commission and Montereau. In 1987, he co-founded the Jenks Public Schools Foundation, envisioning the future needs of the public school system. Jack and Scharmayne chaired numerous galas and events supporting non-profits, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society Dinner of Champions, March of Dimes Gourmet Gala, Gilcrease Museum’s Rendezvous, and the Ronald McDonald House McDazzle.
He served on the Boards of Waste Services, AAON, and TD Williamson as the Audit Chairman, contributing insights and expertise in tax and audit practices.
He was on the Board of Directors at Southern Hills Country Club and served as their President in 2004, guiding the membership through the single largest capital campaign and clubhouse renovation in its history. Jack loved golf, he served as the General Chairman of the United States Amateur Golf Tournament in 2009 and was instrumental in bringing both United States Golf Association tournaments and Professional Golf Association tournaments to Tulsa.
He loved his alma mater and was a dedicated OU Football fan . He thoroughly enjoyed his Ski Bum group. They fraternized and sometimes terrorized ski slopes everywhere in their large groups and bright neon knit hats.
Jack was a doting husband, father, and grandfather - especially proud of all his grandchildren and their individual accomplishments. For much of his adult life, Jack loved and supported Scharmayne’s parents Preston and Vi Brown. But above all, he loved his time spent with Scharmayne and the boys. He was always there to coach his boys’ sporting teams, even enduring the understanding of “Offsides” in soccer. Summers were spent at the lake, boating and skiing. In retirement, he and Scharmayne enjoyed traveling the United States in their RV. They spent their summers in Chicago and at their summer home in Michigan. They cherished the simple times of life, working in the yard together, and loving their many pets.
He was respected by many business leaders as a fiercely independent voice of reason and integrity. He was loved by his family for his sound advice and unwavering support. He will be deeply missed by all whom he touched throughout his personal life and career.
We love you.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October 12, 2023, at Floral Haven Funeral Home.
Celebration of Life Service will be 1:00 pm, Friday, October 13, 2023, at Asbury Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The American Heart Association @ https://www.heart.org/
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