Samuel Karlton Short

We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Samuel Karlton Short, almost 18, of Upper Arlington on April 7, 2024. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his Dad, Mom and loving siblings. Sam was the first child born to Mike and Tori Short on April 19, 2006. We were thrilled to welcome this sweet baby boy into our arms. Sam loved life. Whatever was right in front of him, he was all in. Sam was kind, caring, loyal, generous and so empathetic. He was very proud of his accomplishments and had many passions. Sam loved the Reds, playing travel baseball, playing basketball with friends, watching movies, collecting Star Wars legos, and wiffle ball in the front yard with his Dad and brother. Sam worked hard to earn money for a truck when he turned 16. He spent countless hours at Nutter Hardware and Giant Eagle serving customers and cared so deeply for his coworkers in Curbside. His words of advice was to love the people you work with. He truly loved that team. He loved all things Ohio State, Basketball and Football. There have been amazing experiences to befriend players, watch games, and see behind the scenes which became a true highlight in his life. Sam loved legos and especially Star Wars Legos. He thought he grew out of them when he was 12 but connected with a creative friend who also experienced the challenges of childhood cancer and resparked his interest again. It became a form of therapy for himself physically for his hand function and mentally as a rememberance. As he began to research and learn about the various Star Wars sets, he would watch video streams constantly. Building legos became the joy of his heart, connecting with friends and strangers over building. The loss of his ability to build became one of his biggest heartaches but he kept connections by being ‘quality control’ as he supervised.

Sam loved kids too. The simplicity of connecting with a small child brought him great joy. Whether it was on a short term basis at service events or helping in a Sunday School room, Sam loved to play. Sam loved to coach and share his baseball knowledge with little athletes who were eager to learn from him. Sam was so proud of their accomplishments and their success. One of Sam’s favorite times of the week was with baby Will, a new addition to a good friend's family, who saw nothing but love in Sam’s eyes.

Sam also loved animals and going to the zoo to see capybaras. He also adored Gus the cat, helping to care for him for a neighbor. Sam’s best friend was Louie, our goldendoodle. Louie loved him right back and brought great comfort.

From a young age, Sam always wanted to be a Marine after hearing stories from his Uncle. On April 29, 2022, Sam was able to realize that dream and became an honorary Marine at Parris Island, after completing a four day boot camp for his Make-A-Wish. This accomplishment brought much pride to Sam the rest of his life.

Sam loved learning and worked hard to graduate early in December as the first graduating student at the Upper Arlington High School class of 2024. The teachers at UA built a very unique and special experience that he loved, especially military history. The middle school and high experiences were challenging socially as Sam’s health changed but he loved the friends who looked beyond cancer and remembered Sam was still Sam.

Above all, Sam loved his family. His love and loyalty to his mom was unparalleled except for her love for him. Sam loved his grandparents and aunts and uncles and cousin. He loved being helped by them and being spoiled with their love. Sam loved his brother and sisters. He was a big brother in every sense but with a big heart.

Sam never let cancer define him. Sam made a choice daily to live his life full and give life all his heart and energy he could. From the moment he was born, Sam lived right here and now, with joy and love.

Sam is survived by his adoring and proud parents father and mother, Mike and Tori, and siblings Colin, Tess and Mara. His loving grandparents Mary Short and Karyl Witherspoon and Aunt Betsy and Uncle Skip Bergquist, Caring Aunt Jennifer Short, Aunt Heather and Uncle Jeff Short. Tristan, Pete, Colton and Peyton Bell and Keegan Hughes. Partner in crime, cousin William Short. Sam is now reunited in heaven with grandpas Arnie Nymeyer, William Short and John Witherspoon.

Sam leaves behind many who loved him near and far. He was most appreciative of those who treated him just as “Sam” regardless of what he was able to do physically. Sam and family were able to travel and have many adventures together, taking advantage of opportunities to live life to the fullest, knowing how quickly things can change.

Sam was forever grateful for “The GOATS” in his life. The greatest of all time folks who loved Sam with all their hearts and did everything they could to provide the best care possible for Sam in every aspect of his life. Dr Nathan Rosenberg, Dr. Eric Sribnick, and Dr. Natasha Smiley. Also so many others at Cincinnati Children's and Nationwide Children’s hospitals which provided the most amazing care for his life and loved him so well.

We are all brokenhearted but oh so very grateful and honored to have Sam be ours. We are grateful that Sam’s last breath here was his first breath in heaven…running the bases and continuing to be full of life, free of illness and constraints.

Words cannot express our gratitude to each of you who have walked beside us, loving us, praying for us and carrying us.

Please celebrate Sam with us on April 21, 2024 at 3pm at Upper Arlington Lutheran Church, Mill Run Campus 3500 Mill Run Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026. Reception to follow. Children welcome, nursery care will be available.

Instead of flowers, we ask that you donate to https://ablegamers.org/invest-in-ablegamers/, https://akidagain.org/chapter/central-ohio-chapter/ or please bring a lego set that will be donated to the Cincinnati Children’s Proton Center childlife.

Now I am giving him to the LORD, and he will belong to the LORD his whole life.” And they worshiped the LORD there.

1 Samuel 28:1 NLV