Richard Lee Short III

Richard Lee Short III was too young to die.  Murdered. Our baby was only 17 years old, and growing everyday into an amazing young man.  Through tears and a breaking heart I write this tribute on behalf of his sisters, mom, and dad.  Richard was taken from us on June 11, 2018 in Turlock Ca.  Last night we held a candlelight vigil in his honor in an effort to give his friends and family an opportunity to reflect on how he touched their lives.  The turn out was more than we could have imagined, a representation of just how loved he was.  
Richard, also known as Bubba among his closest family or Rich Lee to his closest friends had a smile that would light up a room.  Richard could do anything he put his mind to...From football to rapping...he gave it his all.  Richard, the baby of his family, had a deep love for his sisters Delicia and Christina, an everlasting bond.  His sisters were his everything.  The roar of laughter when they were together was contagious.  From inside jokes to pulling pranks on each other the bond was undeniable.  Our family's love for Bubba cannot be put in words.  The devastation of losing him is breaking our hearts, but his sisters are truly broken.  To lose a little brother is a tragedy and heartbreak that is simply unbearable.
As we try to gather ourselves, our thoughts, our memories and pull the pieces of our broken hearts together we ask for your help to lay our boy to rest.  We ask that friends, family and strangers come together in our moment of dire need, and help us to give our beloved 17 year old Richard a burial service.  Let's show Richard just how much he is truly missed and loved by us all.  They say it takes a village to raise a child...but it is also going to take a village to lay him to rest.