Bobby Joe Short

ASHEBORO — Bobby Joe Short, age 87, of Asheboro, NC, passed away on Monday, Dec. 8, 2024. 

Mr. Short was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on June 17, 1936, to James Arthur and Kathleen Reynolds Short.  He was a graduate of Randleman High School and retired longtime employee of Industrial Air, Inc. 

In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 58 years, Betty Jean Sosebee Short, and his brother, James Robert Short.

Bobby loved the beach, boating and deep-sea fishing. He spent his early years watching his father work in the shipyards of Norfolk, Va., and enjoyed several summers as a child selling flavored icees for a nickel each in front of his grandparents’ café on the boardwalk of Carolina Beach.   

As a young man, he worked on the family farms helping raise tobacco and worked with his father in the monument business, cutting and setting cemetery monuments. He and his father helped set the stone and construct the bell tower of the beautiful First Baptist Church in Randleman where he was a lifelong member.

In retirement, Bobby loved keeping a beautiful green yard with his John Deere lawn mower, mowing his neighbor’s yard, and pulling children in his garden cart. He watched his westerns on the television every day and enjoyed his sidekick, Buster, until he crossed the rainbow bridge. He spent his last years desperately missing and longing to be reunited in heaven with his devoted wife and caregiver, Betty, who he met at the bowling alley in Asheboro. To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord, and he has gone home.

He is survived by his daughter, Pamela S. Vuncannon and husband Jimmy of Asheboro who he dearly loved. She was his girl and he was her biggest fan. In his last years, they were constant companions as Pam cared for his every need. Pam and her husband are very thankful for the compassionate care provided to Bobby throughout his life by Dr. Douglas Schultz and Clapps Convalescent Home during his short time there.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 11, 2024, from 1-2 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 100 North Main Street in Randleman. Funeral services will follow on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the church, with Rev. Chris Hepding officiating. Entombment will be held at Randolph Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, 100 N. Main St., Randleman, NC 27317. 

Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Short family. Please share remembrances and condolences at www.pughfuneralhome.com.