Joe Dan Shortt passed away peacefully at home on July 17, 2022. His beloved wife Joan and little buddy Stitches were by his side.

He was born September 19, 1949, to John Henry and Hatti Ruth Shepherd Short in his hometown, Saltville, Virginia.

Throughout his life, Joe was known for his love of horses, cooking, and Joan. The couple were always together, working as a team. It was said, 'when you saw Joe, you saw Joan.' They enjoyed 54 years together.

Joe loved to cook and was a great barbeque and grill master. Joe and Joan enjoyed having people over and brought laughter, love, and community wherever they lived.

His love of horses began at 5 years old, when Joe would ride his Shetland pony Nubbins to church. Nubbins would wait outside, tied, while Joe and his family attended Sunday worship.

Joe worked at Nancy Brown's Brownford stable during high school, then opened a 20-stall training barn in 1971 - while still attending college at Emory and Henry. He was a champion of the American Saddlebred horse throughout his life.

He loved to learn and pursued many opportunities to grow. Joe graduated from Saltville's R. B. Worthy High School in 1968, attended Virginia Tech, graduated cum laude from Emory and Henry, attended veterinarian school at the University of Georgia, completed auctioneer training with Mendenhall's School of Auctioneering, and completed a blacksmith course.

In addition to training, breeding, and showing horses, Joe enjoyed a successful career in the lime industry. Among other places, he was employed by the U.S. Gypsum Company, A.P. Green Corporation, and Blue Circle Lime in Alabama from which he entered into retirement.

In 1986, APG LIME promoted Joe and relocated the couple to Roanoke. He left his training and breeding career but remained active in the Saddlebred community. Joe served on the American Saddlebred Horse Association of Virginia (ASHAV) Board of Directors and as Vice President for many years.

Joe retired from APG LIME in 2002. With Joan, he enjoyed retirement in Sevierville, Tennessee.

One of the biggest highlights of Joe's life was Craig Barbrow's win on Command's Ego at the 1974 World's Championship. It was also Joe's biggest challenge: he had to both break and train Command's Ego while teaching the boy, Craig Barbrow, to ride at the same time.

Joe's induction into the ASHAV Hall of Fame in 2016 was especially meaningful, a second highlight in his long life of service and achievement.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, Hatti and John Short, step-mother, Frances Kent Short, siblings John H. Shortt, Jr., James B. Shortt, Eugene Shortt, and Ellen Sue Shortt Parker.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Hammond Shortt, and their little dog Stitches, step-sister Betty Landis, beloved nieces and nephews, and special friends Nancy Brown Hagan, Nancy Smith Walters, John Elliott, Phyllis Brooks, and special family friend, Nyoka Lamie.

Services will be held on Monday, September 19, in the chapel at the D. R. Henderson funeral home in Saltville. Rev. Jeff Roberts, Rev. Jeff Wright, and longtime friend, Dwight Henry will officiate. The family will receive guests at 1 PM; the funeral begins at 2 PM. Interment follows at Elizabeth Cemetery.

Honorary pallbearers include Craig Barbrow, Dale Sheets, Scott Hammond, Ronnie Starnes, Jeff Rector, Bill Pierce, Larry Mitchell, and Wayne Walters.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following charities:
Roanoke Valley Horse Rescue
P. O. Box 13
Hardy VA 24101

Sevier County Humane Society
P. O. Box 978
Pigeon Forge TN 37868

Smoky Mountains Children's Home
449 McCarn Circle
Sevierville TN 37862

Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so by visiting www.drhendersonfuneralhome.com and signing the online guestbook. The D.R. Henderson Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Joe Dan Shortt.