Oleah E. Short May 17, 1924-February 24, 2014 Oleah E. Short, 89, of Valley Mills passed away on Monday, February 24, 2014 at his home. Graveside services will be Saturday March 1, 2014 at 1 P.M. at the Valley Mills Cemetery with Pastor Pat Cummings officiating under the direction of Foss Funeral Home and Cremation services. Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday, February 28th, at Patton Baptist Church in Valley Mills. O.E. Short was born in Tampa, FL on May 17, 1924 to Earl Newton Short and Mary Rita (Cooper) Short. He joined the U.S. Air Force Camp Blanding FL as a young man of 18 years in 1942. From there he went to Europe on a B17 crew as a Tail Gunner. O.E. served in the Air Force for over 20 years, and received several awards during his service to the military from 1942-1963, among them are: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 6 clusters, Soldier's Medal and several campaign ribbons. O.E. was Commander, Avon Park AF Range, January 1952 to 1955. Short retired from the Air Force in 1963 as Lieutenant Colonel. After his retirement from the Military, Short went to work for Texas Farm Bureau as a District Sales Manager and stayed with them for 22 years before retiring. While stationed at Blackland AF Base in Waco, TX he met Kathleen Simpson, they married in March, 1946, and to this union two children were born. In the fall of 1962, O.E. and Kathleen and their children, Steven and Marian, moved to Valley Mills where they have lived for 52 years. They were active in many activities of Valley Mills and served their community well. Wonderful friendships, great neighbors and strong business accomplishments followed their lives together. Short served on the Valley Mills City Council in the 1980's. Short was a member of the John Armstrong Masonic Lodge #291 and had received his 50 year pin. O.E. and Kathleen were members and leaders of Patton Baptist Church where they served their Lord Jesus Christ. Kathleen died in November,1998 in a tragic auto accident. O.E. married Ramona Tesch on August 9, 2006. Preceding him in death were his parents, one brother, John, and his wife of 52 years Kathleen and numerous other family members including much loved in-laws. Surviving him are his son Steven, of Moshiem, his daughter, Marian Carlson and husband Daryl of Ft. Worth, his wife Ramona of Battlement Mesa, Colorado, six much loved grand-children, and seven wonderful great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Patton Baptist Church, P.O.Box 538, Valley Mills, TX 76689. Honorary Pallbearers will be Maxie Wallace, David Light, James Alsup, John Alden, Steve Pickens and the men of Patton Baptist Church.