Norris Lee Short

Norris Lee Short Obituary

Norris “Lee” Short eldest child of Norris W. and Laura Short passed on June 19, 2025, at his Chimacum home on West Valley Road. Lee was 83 years old and a local community mechanical icon, along with being a Husband, Grandfather, Father, Brother and Uncle to his extended family.

Lee was born on September 27, 1941, in Los Angeles, California. In January 1946, the Short family relocated to a farm in Chimacum, Washington, where Lee showed his true mechanical passion, starting with taking small garden tractor engines apart and putting them back together so they would run.

Lee graduated in 1959 from Chimacum High School, and after a Farm Winter Short course in Pullman, Washington he enrolled in LeTourneau Technical Institute in Longview, Texas. 4 years later he received his degree in Mechanical Science.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1967. Originally trained as a medic; when he arrived at his duty station, Camp Mosier, Korea, they did not need medics. He was assigned to a Veterinary Detachment taking care of sentry guard dogs and inspection of Korean farms where the Army purchased food.

To complete his knowledge of diesel engines, he enrolled in Tacoma Technical Institute. While there he worked for Foremost Dairy Truck Shop and various farm projects, such as setting up a truck and trailer to haul hay from Eastern Washington for the farm.

1973, Lee and Bonnie moved back to the farm in Chimacum and became very active in horse 4-H projects, play day events developing their registered quarter horses. Son Scott was born May 28, 1974.

Lee’s business continued to grow, and a shop was built – Lee’s Truck Repair became a fixture on the northeast corner of Valley View Farm, Center Road, Chimacum.

1977, Lee joined the Chimacum Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter. Part of his tasks were to repair and maintain the fire trucks and train other volunteers how to drive them. In 2007, Lee won the Mac Marriott Award and was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2011. He retired from the East Jefferson Fire-Rescue in 2012.

Lee touched and impacted many people’s lives, and his presence will be sorely missed, but the wonderful memories remain.

Lee is survived by his wife Bonnie of 53 years; Siblings-Roger, Gary, Jerry, Linda Short Leigh, Nancy Short Bemis, Susan Short McIntire, Allan, and Laurie Short Nation;

Children-Roger Mayhew, Scott Short; Grandchildren – Rebecca Mayhew, Alexis Mayhew, J.J. Mayhew, Jessica Mayhew, Tyra Short, Morgan Short;

A Celebration of Life Service will be held July 16, 2025 at the Jefferson County Fair Grounds at 2 pm. Family requests, any donations be made in Lee’s name to:

Friends of East Jefferson Fire-Rescue 24 Seton Rd Port Townsend, WA.