Carlyle "Short" Watters

Funeral services were held Monday, February 23, 2009 for Carlyle “Short” Watters at the Arkansas Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Swink, Colorado. Short died February 19, 2009 at his Cheraw home of 44 years.
Short was born February 11, 1925, south of Rocky Ford and lived all of his life within a 25 mile radius moving to the Cheraw area in 1927.
His parents were John and Jemima (Merk) Watters and was one of seven children. John, Jr., Leona Porterfield, Melvin “Dutch”, Velma Woodring, Geraldine Hansen, and Guy. He had some health problems at birth and his older sister remembered that his older siblings spoiled him waiting on him hand and foot.
Short spent his twelve years of school at the Cheraw Consolidated School just one block from home graduating in 1942. Later his father bought a truck to support his large family. Short would deliver water to the community after school besides working for his dad and later for brothers Melvin “Dutch” and Guy. At one time later in life he had his own business working on wells with Guy. He retired at age 62 but continued to work with Guy for some time.
Short was on the town council several years and served as mayor for thirteen years retiring in 2005. He contributed much to the town of Cheraw. Short married Evelyn Burt in 1945 having dated since 1941. The family was made complete when Randy and Karen were adopted. Four grandchildren were added starting in 1976; Monica and Krystal, children of Karen and Forrest Button; Megan and Brett, children of Randy and Melody Watters; two great-grandchildren, Mylah, daughter of Megan Watters and Trystan son of Monica Button. Those two great-grandchildren have brought much happiness to our family.
Short became active in the church and used his computer to assist the church in many ways. He even attended Otero Junior College for two months recently to improve his computer skills.
The family has been amazed at the response of the Cheraw community to our loss and we will be eternally grateful for their calls, cards, visits, food brought in, flowers and sharing our loss.
Those wishing to do so may make memorial contributions to the Arkansas Valley Hospice Association, P.O. Box P.O. Box 408, La Junta, CO, 81050 or to the Arkansas Valley Seventh-day Adventist Church, 26607 Cty. Rd. 24.5, Swink, CO, 81050 direct or through the funeral home.
Peacock-Larsen Funeral Home and Arkansas Valley Crematory were in charge of arrangements.