Clarence Samuel Short

Funeral services for Clarence Samuel Short, 93, of Inola, OK, were held Monday, February 9, 2026, at Johnson Funeral Chapel in Sperry, OK. Reverend Clayton Paslay officiated and burial was in Rest Haven Cemetery in Sperry, OK. Casket bearers were Caleb Paslay, Joshua Paslay, Zachary Paslay, Colton Paslay, Donald Short and Rick Carmichael. Honorary Casket bearer was Ivan Bell.

Clarence was born April 17, 1932, in Webbers Falls, OK, the sixth of twelve children, to Robert Otis Short and Mary Audra (Barnes) Short. He passed away peacefully at home on January 29, 2026, in Inola, OK.

Clarence’s father died when he was 12, so he became the father figure to his siblings. He helped support the family by picking cotton and spinach and taking government officials down the Canadian River on a canoe. In 1946, the family moved to Turley, OK where he met the love of his life, Betty Eades. Through the years, a story was told of when Betty was 9 years old and Clarence was 12, having a secret conversation at “The Fence”. In the 68 years of marriage with many family gatherings of teasing and begging, Betty and Clarence were loyal in never telling their “secret”. Clarence had great loyalty and dedication to the things he loved and enjoyed. Besides his marriage of 68 years, he worked at the same company alongside his best friend, Ivan Bell, for over 60 years. When Clarence would arrive at work, he would honk the horn on his old chevy truck and quickly got the nickname “OOGIE” that remained his name at work until retiring at the age of 91. Clarence was a dedicated father to his two daughters, Joan (pronounced JoAnn) and Debra. He quickly became the father figure in the neighborhood to most of the children and when his girls started school he became a second dad to their close classmates. He built a lifetime bond with many of the children and in their adult years, right up to the day he passed, they would visit and share stories with Clarence. Clarence loved to tease and was a great storyteller that kept everyone laughing. Clarence purchased a farm in Skiatook, OK and moved his family there in 1962. He loved spending his extra time tending to cows, riding the tractor, gardening and picking pecans. As the grandchildren were born, one of their first outfits was a pair of overalls and cowboy boots. They were quickly introduced to the joy of riding a tractor with many family stories on the farm from squirrel hunting adventures to skating on a pond or riding a new lawn mower up a fence. As a young husband and father, Clarence gave his life to Christ, dedicated to raising his family in God’s word. Even the frequent trips to the Illinois River had time set aside for worship. After moving to Inola, OK in 1993, Clarence became a member of Inola First Baptist Church where he was a faithful and active member. When his health declined, Clarence continued to read and study his Bible at home. Clarence was a very generous man and continued his love for gardening when he moved to Inola. He would carry totes of fresh veggies and fruits to the church members, family, and neighbors. That is, unless it was his blackberries and blackberry jam! He didn’t mind telling you he wasn’t sharing them because no one helped him pick them! Clarence loved his family and when he became a great-great grandpa, he bragged to everyone. He was a big kid at heart and enjoyed hiding Easter eggs, dressing up at Halloween, playing board games, but his favorite was playing gin rummy.

He is survived by his daughters, Debra Paslay of Inola, and Joan LeGreco of Peoria, AZ; grandchildren, Christi Val, Stephany Dayer and husband, Tony, Clayton Paslay and wife, Jessika, and Curtis Paslay and Dwan; great-grandchildren, Peyton Dayer, Madison Val, Caleb Paslay and wife, Britley, Josh Paslay and wife, Nichole, Zachary Paslay, Colton Paslay, and Jasmyn Paslay; great-great-grandchildren, Renly Paslay, and Shepard Paslay; sisters, Marcellene Hamil, Ann Mims, and Linda Smith; brother, Donald Short; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Short; great-granddaughter, Hannah Paslay; parents, Robert and Audra Short; sisters, Margaret Douglas, Lola Ree Black, Roberta Ekstedt, and Virginia Hashhagen; and brothers, Thomas Lee Short, Bobby E. Short and Jim Short.

Arrangements and services were entrusted to Johnson Funeral Home, Sperry.

Online condolences to the family can be made at johnsonsperry.com.