Merlin Ray Short was born on June 11, 1933, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and departed this life on Tuesday, October 27, 2015, in Oklahoma City at the age of 82.

Merlin, the son of Clarence Arthur and Lora Marie Pickard Short, was a resident of Prague.

He married Cheryl Elerick on December 11, 1953, in Nicoma Park.

He graduated from Choctaw High School with the class of 1951.

Merlin proudly served his country in the United States Navy. After his military service, he attended Central State College where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1958. Merlin went to work for Standard Life Insurance Company in 1958 and worked there until his retirement in 1976. He later served as Lincoln County Commissioner for District 3 from 1987 until 1999.

Merlin was a long time member of the Prague First Christian Church, where he served as Chairman of the Board and as an Elder for many years. He was a member of the BancFirst Board of Directors for over 30 years. He served as a director for the Oklahoma State Association of County Commissioners, was on the State Board for County Insurance for 8 years, the Board of Directors for Project Heart for 6 years, the Lincoln County Health Department for 10 years, the Board of Oklahoma Job Training Program for 4 years and the Judicial Review Commission for Community Sentencing for 3 years. He was the 1990 Prague Citizen of the Year. He also served in men's ministries for several churches, Emmaus Walk, was a sponsor for FFA, and a Prague High School class sponsor.

Merlin’s parents preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Cheryl Short of the home; son, Tim Short of Prague; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Ernie Eastep of Prague and Holly and Shawn Jackson of Fort Worth, Texas, grandchildren, Rachel and David Steward of Owasso, Jerry Short of Edmond, Jake Short of Norman, Lauryn Davis of Fort Worth, Texas and Jadyn Davis of Fort Worth, Texas, great grandchildren, Carter and Skylar Steward of Owasso, brother, Charles Arthur Short of Minden, Louisiana, nieces, Charlotte Cross of Edmond and Nancy Logan of Glendale, Oregon, other family, Heather Short of Oklahoma City and Justin Wilson of Tecumseh and numerous family and friends.

The Short family will receive friends on Friday, October 30, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Parks Brothers Funeral Home in Prague.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Prague with Rev. David Hand officiating.

The casket will not be open following the service.

Interment will follow at Prague Cemetery.

Services are under the direction of Parks Brothers Funeral Service in Prague.

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