Eugene Short, Jr., 62, passed away on March 16, 2016, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Sugarland, 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 is 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.