Clay “James” Short

Clay “James” Short, 79, of Gonzales, passed away Saturday, April 4, 2015. He was born June 18, 1935 in San Antonio, the son of James Clarence and Willie Ben Jennings Short. 

His family moved to Gonzales when James was a young child and he attended Gonzales schools. He married the love of his life Kathryn “Katy” Rusling on Jan. 1, 1956 in Lockhart.

He was a member of Memorial Heights Baptist Church. He was the owner of Acero Pipeline Company in Gonzales. He was the first to build a polyethylene pipeline in the State of Texas in 1967, a pipeline which is still in use today. He was a well known and respected oil and gas consultant for many years. 

James was known for his strong work ethic which he passed along to his grandsons while teaching them valuable technical skills. He was an avid gun collector, enjoying target shooting, repairing and trading firearms— a hobby shared with his grandsons. 

He was an animal lover both large and small. History was a favorite subject and he loved reading westerns and science fiction. He was a very generous man and was always willing to reach out to help others in any way he could. 

Most of all his greatest love was for his wife, daughters and grandchildren all of whom were everything to him. He is survived by his wife of 59 years Katy Short of Gonzales; daughters, Deborah Yvonne Short, Terri Lynn Baetz and husband Cal, Marilyn Kay Short Dolezal and Sandra Jean Moseley all of Gonzales; grandchildren, Jacob Sanders and Rachael Sanders of Gonzales, Kevin Moseley of Cuero and Jason Moseley of Victoria; great-grandchildren, Connor Oeltjen, Sam Oeltjen, Braxton Sanders and Gideon Sanders; sister, Jyeton Hesseltine of Greenville; special niece, Jackie Short Rodriguez and great-niece Ashley Moore both of Gonzales. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his grandson, James W. Oeltjen; sister, Daisy Smith; brothers, Lawrence, John, Charles and Jimmy Short and his parents. 

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, April 6 at Seydler-Hill Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 7 at the funeral home with Reverend Clint Lowrey officiating. Pallbearers include Kevin Moseley, Jason Moseley, Cal Baetz, Jacob Sanders, Braxton Sanders and Devin Gibson. Honorary pallbearers are Gideon Sanders, Connor Oeltjen, Sam Oeltjen, Elwyn Gibson and Shirley Ann Gibson. Interment will follow at the Greenwood Cemetery. Arrangements under the care and direction of Seydler-Hill Funeral Home, 906 St. Paul Street, Gonzales, Texas, 803-672-3232.