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BORN
1953
DIED
2016
FUNERAL HOME
Eugene Short Obituary
Hattiesburg
Eugene Short, Jr., 62, passed away on March 16, 2016, at St. Luke's Hospital in Sugar Land, Texas after a lengthy illness. He was born on August 7, 1953 in Macon, MS to the late, Martha and Eugene Short, Sr. Eugene accepted Christ at an early age and joined Ebenezer Baptist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. He attended Eureka Elementary, W. H. Jones Jr. High School, Rowan High School, and Hattiesburg High School where he led the Hattiesburg High Tigers to their first state championship in 1972. Eugene attended Jackson State University where he was a 3-time, All-American and All-SWAC player for the JSU Tigers.
Eugene entered the NBA Draft in 1975 after his junior year in college and was drafted 9th overall by the New York Knicks. He played for both the New York Knicks and the Seattle SuperSonics before retiring from the NBA. In the previous year he was selected by the American Basketball Association's San Antonio Spurs in the fifth round of the 1974 ABA Draft. He played for the United States National team in the 1974 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.
Eugene was preceded in death by his parents. He leaves to mourn his passing; his best friend and sister, Eva Short Woods; brother, Purvis Short (Sandra) of Houston, TX; godsons: Romerio & Rashard Barnes of Hattiesburg, MS and Romario Barnes of Dallas, TX; nephews: Derrick and Devan (Mercedes) Short and great niece, Asia Short, all of Houston, TX. He also leaves to cherish his memory his aunt, Savannah Triplet of Shuqualak, MS; aunt, Sebelle Reeves of Hattiesburg, MS; aunt, Myrtle Short of Macon, MS; and cousin, Mary Lee Brown of Hattiesburg, MS, along with a host of cousins, family and friends.
Visitation will be on Friday, March 25, 2016, at Forrest Funeral Home in Hattiesburg, MS, from 5-8pm. A celebration of life service will be held at 11:00am, on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, also in Hattiesburg. Interment is at Highland Cemetery.
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Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Short
Sponsored by Forrest Funeral Home - Hattiesburg.
Florence Sinclair -Walker
April 8, 2017
I attended Jackson State University when Eugene played baseball there. He was an amazing player and very good person. I offer sincere sympathy to his family. Rest in paradise.
Dian Lee Marshall
April 5, 2017
I remember Eugene and Purvis at JSU .Basketball when they played everyone wanted to be there ! So Sad !
CHARLES DONAHUE
April 5, 2017
I REMEMBER EUGENE AND PURVIS SHORT, ALWAYS QUIET AND HUMBLE BROTHERS. MY DEEPEST CONDOLENCES TO THE SHORT FAMILY.
felicia clark
May 18, 2016
My deepest goes out to the Short family. As a little kid grand daughter of Chang Clark I think i met Mr. Eugene Short a lot times. I still have that memory of him. He use to come up to our house all the time and visit my grandfather. But to make a long story short it's amazing to read the history Mr. Short had. It's make me proud to be apart of his legacy. To the family my condolences. Love the daughter of Dian Clark Lathan
April 19, 2016
To Eugene's family you have my deepest sympathy. I was heart broken to hear about Eugene's death.Eva I'm praying for your family. We were at JSU together you will probably remember me as Cynthia Marshall James Marshall's sister. I will always remember the good days at JSU alone with Eugene and Purvis being superstars.
April 5, 2016
Such a great gentleman and athlete. RIP home boy!!
Randy McCullum
Gary Cameron
April 2, 2016
Eugene Short was a very gifted human being he wasn't just a athlete but very wise for a young man... i grew up two houses over from the shorts and all the children would come over and play in the field we lived on . He and his brother Purvis would both teach me how to be better at everything we did. Learning from and watching them was a joy to my heart I soon moved off to California but never forgot the things they both taught me. He was just the best at everything we did he wanted to be the hero and he did it well. My heart goes out to the family he is someone who fault a good fight to the end.... Gary Cameron and family
March 30, 2016
Wow, I am so sorry that I could not make the funeral. As the saying goes, "he's in a better place". For us, the people that he has left behind, we should be grateful for the time he spent with us on this earth. Living in Mississippi as a child was the most magical time in my life. There was so much love there. Looking back on the time my brothers and I spent with Purvis and Eugene, makes me smile. I was inspired to hoop because of them. I thought, "If these cats from Hattiesburg can make it, I can too". Eugene you be missed. Thanks for the memories.
Until we meet again,
Mono the Middle Wilborn Boy
March 28, 2016
I will always miss my friend. He said to me once in high school that "if i am only 5'4" tall weighting 94 lbs and looking like a Hippie, I can be a super star. To short to make the team but I had a friend. Purvis and Beverly ; God Bless.
Donny R. Easterling
Margueritte Davis
March 27, 2016
Rest In Peace
March 26, 2016
Shalom to Purvis and the Short family. Eugene was a kind friend with a giving heart. Death may steal but love heals. Grace L. Amos, Laurel, MS
Myron Evans
March 25, 2016
We were saddened to hear of Eugene's passing. He was a good brother, team leader and true American. He will be missed! Lieutenant Commander and Mrs. Myron L. Evans, United States Navy deployed.
Harold Watts
March 25, 2016
Purvis & Family So sorry to hear about Eugene. We attended W.H. Jones Jr. High school together in Hattiesburg. The last time I saw Eugene was when he came to K.C. and he was playing for Seattle. He treated my wife and me to dinner as we shared fun times about basketball and friends while growing up the Hub City. He will be missed. Praying God will give you and your family peace and strength Harold Watts
March 25, 2016
I remember Eugene scoring 51 points against Wingfield HS when I played there. He was the best and I was his biggest fan while at JSU.
My prayers and thoughts are with his family at this time.
Jackie Slater HOF '01
March 25, 2016
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
March 25, 2016
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
March 24, 2016
The Griffin Family
March 24, 2016
Prayers are with you The Short Family.
The Griffin Family
Kenneth Dean
March 24, 2016
Rest in peace my brother
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Mar
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Visitation
5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Forrest Funeral Home - Hattiesburg1258 Richburg Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
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Forrest Funeral Home - Hattiesburg1258 Richburg Rd, Hattiesburg, MS 39402
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