John Short

John Maurice Short, 74, of Jackson died Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Sept. 9, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, son of Willis Lester and Mozella Cobble Short. He and LaDonna Long were married in 1961. She died in February 1994.

John graduated from Webster Groves High School and received a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.

After his service in the Army, John went to work for the U.S. government in the Department of the Army. He was project engineer for the Lark Amphibious Vehicle and the Bailey and Ribbon bridge systems.

He is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Nancy Short of Kitty Hawk, N.C.; two nieces; six grandnieces and grandnephews; and numerous cousins.

There will be no visitation.

Dr. Grant F.C. Gillard will officiate at a private funeral service. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery at Fruitland.

Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.