Angels sang in joyful greeting as Judge Paul Edgar Short, Jr entered Heaven on March 2, 2021, although they respectfully requested the Lord not allow him to sing along. He always sang in “Latin” every Sunday morning at Purity Presbyterian church, which was his way of joking to his family about his vocal abilities, or lack thereof. He sometimes called himself and the family often called him-THE KING, as he was large and in charge. He is survived by his queen and love of his life , Linda Huffstetler Short, referred to by him as Mrs. Pumpkin; his oldest daughter Lindy Short Blanks (Will), who he called Boog or Bucky Beaver, his baby girl Melanie Short, known as Maxine or Max; his first grandchild, Ariel Melinda Blanks, or Bear; his only grandson James Noah Edwards, or Spuds McKenzie, his second granddaughter, Blythe Rhylynne Edwards or Blythewood or Woody, and his baby grand, Mary Kendall Edwards or Killer. 
He leaves behind a multitude of friends who he loved dearly. Memories to last a lifetime and a family who will never forget him. His little sister, Rebecca S. Banks (Cecil) and his nephew Freddie Lewis (Alex).He was preceded in death by his beloved Mother, Betty Gray Pearson Short (Memaw) and his wonderful Dad Paul E. Short, Sr. (Pop). 
Obviously Judge Short was a much loved and devoted family man. He was so proud of and loved his four grandchildren so very much. He was always present when one was singing, dancing, cheering or playing ball. Being a good “Grandaddy” meant being there for them in every way. Of course, prior to being a wonderful Grandaddy, he was a great Daddy. Lindy and Melanie never questioned his love for a minute. Neither ever doubted that she was his favorite daughter! However, later in life, Bailey, the black lab, may have usurped the title! The great love this family shared stemmed from Paul’s never wavering deep love for his amazing wife LInda, who he adored sparring with for over 52 years. 
Knowing that success doesn’t come easily, especially to a kid growing up on a mill hill in Gastonia, NC, he worked diligently to set goals and achieve success. He was elected student body president of Ashley High school in 1963. At North Carolina Boys State in 1963, he was elected Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He received his Bachelor’s degree in 1968 from The Citadel in Charleston, SC, and in 1971 received his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of South Carolina School of Law in Columbia, SC. He completed all of the course work for a Masters in Judicial Studies at the University of Nevada, Reno in 2003. 
After brief active duty in the US Army in 1971, he then served in the SC National Guard until 1973, and was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant from the US Army Reserve in 1974. Paul practiced law continuously in Chester County, SC for twenty years and was elected to serve in the SC House of Representatives, representing House District 43 from 1982-1991. He served as House Majority Leader from 1989-1991, when he was elected to serve on the SC Circuit Court as an at-large Judge. He was elected Resident Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in 1999. In August 1999, he was elected President of the SC Association of Circuit Court Judges, and was re-elected to serve a second term as President in August 2000. He was then elected to serve on the SC Court of Appeals on May 25, 2004, where he continued to serve until his retirement on December 31, 2019. He was honored by his beloved Citadel with an Honorary Doctorate of Jurisprudence in May, 2019. 
Paul was not a dull boy, as he knew, the importance of not falling prey to all work and no play. He was often selected as social chairman because he enjoyed playing hard. At his every juncture in life, he made deep lasting friendships that meant the world to him. He doesn’t have blood brothers, but he certainly has brothers of the heart and loved them deeply. In fact, despite being a terrible golfer who thought breaking 100 was a great game he loved to play just to spend time with friends. The 19th hole was a good excuse for more friends to join. His favorite place was a boat, particularly, a pontoon on Lake Wateree with a friend, family member, and cooler of bottles of Miller High Life. 
Judge Short was extremely active in his community being a Life Member of The Citadel Association, The Chester/Fairfield Citadel Club, Sertoma Club, Chester Shrine Club, Chester Masonic Lodge, the American Legion, Chester Rotary Club, and Purity Presbyterian Church where he served as deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher and founder of the Community Thanksgiving Dinner. He was a member of the following professional organizations: Chester County Bar Association, the SC Bar Association, The SC Appellate Court Judges Association, the American Bar Association, and the Supreme Court of SC Chief Justice’s Commission of the Profession, Chester Men’s Golf Association. The family would like to thank the nurses at Agape Hospice Care especially Anna Witherspoon for all the love and care shown to their family during this time. 
A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 2:00 at Purity Presbyterian Church, Chester, SC. Visitation will follow in the Fellowship Hall. Interment will be private at Old Purity Cemetery. Masks should be worn by everyone in attendance. The service will be shared on Facebook Live. 

Memorials may be made to The Citadel Class of 1968 Legacy Scholarship Fund, 171 Moultrie St. Charleston, SC 29409, or Purity Presbyterian Church, PO Box 278, Chester, SC 29706. 
 

A judicial legend in Chester and the entire state of South Carolina has died.

Judge Paul Short, who was a Circuit Court judge and the S.C. Court of Appeals justice for almost three decades, died Tuesday, officials and friends said. He was 74.

Short died peacefully at home, Chester County Coroner Terry Tinker said.

Short was elected by the S.C. Legislature to the 6th Circuit Circuit Court judge seat in 1991. He was the judge for Chester, Lancaster and Fairfield counties for criminal and civil cases until 2004, when he was elected by the legislature to the S.C. Court of Appeals. Short served on the appeals court from 2004 until mandatory retirement in 2019.

South Carolina requires judges to retire at age 72.

Current 6th Circuit Judge Brian Gibbons said Judge Short was a great man, father and grandfather who was a legendary jurist across the state.

"Judge Short was a fantastic mentor to me," Gibbons said Tuesday. "It is a distinct honor for me to currently occupy the judicial seat he once held. He will be truly missed."

Chester County and South Carolina honored Short in 2019 when his portrait was hung in the Chester County Courthouse courtroom where he presided for so long.

Randy Newman, 6th Circuit solicitor, said Short had a reputation throughout South Carolina as a judge who was fair to all people.

"Our profession and state have lost a great man who was respected by all," Newman said.

'He taught me very much'

Mike LIfsey, 6th Circuit public defender, started his legal career as a lawyer in Short's office, then tried cases before Short as both a prosecutor and public defender. Short's courtroom style was legendary — nobody but Judge Short was in charge of Short's courtroom, Lifsey said.

"I tried my first cases in front of Judge Short, and he taught me very much how to be a trial lawyer," Lifsey said. "I will miss him very much."