Carroll Dale Short

Carroll “Dale” Short, a resident of Casper, Wyoming and native of Shanghi, Alabama, passed away on August 2nd, 2024, at the age of 73. Dale was a prolific writer, whose fiction and non-fiction works appeared in numerous publications including Redbook, The New York Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and many others. 

Short was recognized as the top young writer in the U.S. by Redbook, and received multiple awards from the Alabama Press Association and the Southern Literary Festival. His stories were adapted for National Public Radio, and his plays were performed in various theaters across the US. 

In addition to his writing career, Short held roles as an editor, producer, photographer, DJ, communications consultant, and teacher - spending 17 years instructing journalism at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He was also an instructor in fiction and playwriting at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and conducted readings and seminars nationwide.

His notable works include "The Shining, Shining Path," "I Left My Heart in Shanghi, Alabama," “Turbo’s Very Life”, "A Migration of Clowns,” and others. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Caroline Cherry of Casper, WY; his father Benjamin Short of Graysville, AL; his brother Danny Short of Gadsden, AL - and is survived by his son, Donovan Short; his daughter-in-law Tara Short, of Casper, WY; his granddaughter, Darrah Short, of Laramie, WY; and a host of beloved friends. He passed away after a brief illness at Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY - and his ashes will be scattered later this year back home in his beloved Shanghi. 

In lieu of the typical flowers and memorials, he’d love it if you went down to your local independent bookstore, and picked yourself out something great to read.