It is with great sadness that the family of James (Jim) Melton Short announce his passing at the age of 64 on Tuesday June 1, 2021.

Jim was born February 27, 1957 in Ganado, Texas, to CB and Leona Short.  His family moved to Corpus Christi in 1962.  In his teen years, Jim had the opportunity to experience different types of employment from bricklayer's helper to ranch hand.

In 1975 Jim graduated from Mary Carroll High School.  He attended Ambassador College in Big Sandy, Texas, from 1975 to 1977.  One of Jim's proudest accomplishments while attending Ambassador College was participating in the Coast to Coast Bicycle Trip in 1976.  The group rode 4291 miles in 66 days starting in Fort Stephens, Oregon and ending in Fort Story, Virginia.  Jim kept his bicycle for years and loved watching the Tour de France.

After college Jim took a job with Brown & Root in Houston, TX, as a pipefitter. During this time Jim met his wife Suzie at church in Houston.  They were married in 1980 and had three children: James Jr, Amanda, and David.

In 1989 Jim and his family returned to Corpus Christi where he went to work for his father in the natural gas industry.  Throughout his career, Jim cultivated relationships with people across South Texas and ultimately incorporated those contacts into his own business, JMS Gas Measurement Services, in January 2000. Jim had a good head for business and finances, but he also gave generously without question.  Jim also had a strong work ethic.  He worked five to six days a week resting only on the sabbath.  He even took his children to work with him and showed them how to repair, calibrate, and test meters while Suzie taught them how to read charts, answer telephone calls, and file papers in their home office.  As they got older, he also became their first employer.  His youngest son David continued to work for him for several years until Jim's retirement in November 2020.  Jim was proud to be a small business owner in Corpus Christi for 20 years.

Throughout his battle with colon cancer, his faith never wavered. Jim lost his battle with colon cancer on the morning of June 1, 2021.  He was preceded in death by his father CB Short.  Jim is lovingly remembered by his mother Leona Short, three sisters, Carolyn (Bill) Coston, Laura (Ron) Weinland, and Mary (Mark) Patterson, his wife of 41 years, and their three children.

During his life, Jim developed long lasting relationships through his career and church.  He will be dearly missed by everyone who knew him.

Memorial services to Celebrate James life will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Guardian funeral home chapel. Family will begin accepting friends and family starting at 1:00 p.m.