Dr. Marvin John (MJ) Short II, age 90, passed away at his home in Greenville, South Carolina, on October 11, 2022. Born on July 28th, 1932 in Carroll, Iowa, to the late Marvin Short and Alice (Graves) Short.

MJ was a 1951 graduate of North High School in De Moines, Iowa. He went on to earn a BA Degree from Illinois College of Chiropody in Chicago, Illinois (1955). Shortly after, he was drafted into the US Army then released to attend medical school at the University of Texas (MA in Neuroanatomy) as an ensign of the US Naval Reserve. He then studied at Duke Medical School, where he earned his doctoral degree in medicine (1962). After an internship in Galveston, TX doing biological psychiatric brain research, he returned to Duke University to assist in establishing their neuropsychiatric lab and the physician assistant program.  He was the first to teach neuroscience in the United States as a professor at Duke University, along with being a pioneer in drug development and treatments. Other professional accomplishments include: Public Health Service for U.S. Public Health Hospital (New Orleans, LA), Board Certified Professor at Duke University, lead in developing a neurosurgical unit at Broughton Hospital (Morganton, NC), two decades of private practice in psychiatry, and developed psychiatric behavioral treatment facilities and programs which he was associated with for over 40 years. Some of the facilities include: Marshal I Pickens Hospital, Briarwood Hospital, and Avalonia Group Homes.

Outside of his professional life, Dr. Short enjoyed traveling the world and chasing adventure – which he found in over 50 countries. He was an avid photographer and was always sure to document his travels, capturing memories from treks such as hiking to the 2nd base camp of Mt. Everest. MJ was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Ellen Jermain Short, and his wife of his six children, Frances Marie Short. Survivors include his six children:  Marvin John Short III (Ann), Letitia Marie Short, Malinda Marie Chamberlain (John), Vanessa Marie DeBauche (Brian), John Montgomery Short (Kristen), Zabrina Marie Pitts (Andrew); his stepsons; Christopher Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton, Greg Boardman (deceased), Paul Boardman, and Julian Boardman;  one sister, Marolyn Overton; and 12 grandchildren, Jesse Beam, Savanah Forsythe, Matthew Short (Lina), Emily Beam, Quinton Rudock, Patrick Short, William Pitts, Christian Short, Madeline Pitts, Grace Short, Lillian Pitts, Samuel Pitts; and two great-grandchildren, Jonathan Short, and Bomi Short.

Visitation will be held at Mackey Funerals and Cremations at Century Drive  Tuesday, October 18, 2022 From 5:00 to 7 :00 PM.

Funeral mass will be held at noon on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church,111 Hampton Ave, Greenville, SC 29601 followed by burial at Woodlawn Memorial Park.

The family requests donations be made to St Mary’s Catholic Church, or your charity of choice.

His memory and legacy will live on in all of us as we adventure out into the world, and experience life’s marvelous blessings.