Rick Shortland

Rick Shortland

Richard (Rick) James Shortland was born December 5, 1958, to Mary Lou Henry Shortland and Edward Thomas Shortland in Columbus, Ohio; and passed away into the loving arms of Jesus on January 28, 2026. Rick had an older sister Rhonda Chapman of Ohio and three younger brothers Chuck Shortland of Florida, Terry Shortland (Angie) of Georgia, and Bill Shortland of Florida. Rick grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where he was active in all types of sports, including basketball, football, softball, golf and high jump on the track team in high school. Rick was excellent at sports. He continued to high jump with an extremely high record until he gained too much muscle for the high jump pole to support him. He played on a softball team that was in the national finals. Rick continued to play softball with a work league, pick-up basketball wherever there was a game, and golf. Rick was passionate about football, and lived and breathed Ohio State Football. He never missed a game and always wore his Ohio State gear. He watched the National Little League Baseball Tournament every year. Rick was very physically active, as long as, his body allowed and was extremely intelligent. He would always say that he had a lot of useless knowledge. Rick had a large family that he remained very close with all of his life. He had numerous friends and family that he allowed to live with him while he tried to help them better themselves and get their lives on track. He always had an open heart and home. Rick had one son, Josh Shortland (Georgia) that was the apple of his eye and loved beyond measure. He thought the world of Josh. Rick had a step-daughter, Nonnie Rippley (Florida), who he loved dearly and never referred to her as his step-daughter. She was always his daughter. Rick had a daughter-in-law, Kelsey Shortland (Georgia), who he considered his daughter. Kelsey would always say that whenever she and Josh had a disagreement, that Rick would always take her side. Rick met his current wife, Karen Maxcy in the early 1990s when they both resided in the metro Atlanta area and re-connected in 2016. Their first date on the second go-around was October 30, 2016, when they met up in Atlanta to attend Falcons and Green Bay Packers football game. Karen rooted for the Falcons, while Rick rooted for the Packers. The Falcons won in the last seconds of the game. Karen and Rick were married April 29, 2018, and resided in Guntown, Mississippi. They lived a very happy life and traveled whenever they could.

Rick’s last job was at Mayo Chemical Company where he was a Reactor Operator. This job was very physical and involved very volatile chemicals. Rick was fearless. He had to retire from Mayo due to a diagnosis of Reflex Sympathetic Disorder (RSD), which is a disorder that is characterized by severe continuous burning or throbbing intense pain. Rick suffered with this disorder for over twenty years without a complaint. He was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in May 2025. Rick’s body was extremely worn down and he was very weak due to RSD, and his body could not take the second round of chemo-therapy. Rick was able to stay at home until he met Jesus. We are all extremely grateful that he was able to remain at home.

Rick had seven grandchildren from Josh and Kelsey of whom he was extremely proud: Layla, Willow, Acacia, Carson, Colton, Alexis, and Storm. He had other grandchildren from Nonni and great-grandchildren. He was proud of all of them and spoke of them often, as he did with his numerous nieces and nephews. Rick also was very close friends with Randy and Vicki Koscho and was a god-father to one of their daughters, who gave him the nickname of “Biggs.” Rick loved that nickname and was happy whenever he was called Biggs. Rick was predeceased in death by his Father, Edward Thomas Shortland and his Mother, Mary Lou Henry Shortland. A private celebration of life will be held for Rick for his family and close friends.

Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be made at www.PeguesFuneralHome.com.