Larry James LITTLE

Larry James Little, husband, father and grandfather passed away in Wright City, Missouri on Thursday, April 30, 2015 at the age of 71. The son of Frank Dallas Little and Marjorie Covert Little, Larry was born on February 6, 1944 in Jackson, Michigan and was raised in southern Michigan. At the age of 18, Larry joined the United States Air Force where he honorably served his country as an air traffic controller, both domestically and abroad, including assignments in the Dominican Republic and at Misawa Air Base in Misawa, Japan and Shemya Air Force Base in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. It was while serving at Tinker Air Force Base in Midwest City, Oklahoma where he met and married the love of his life, Jeanette Inman, on December 9, 1966. This union began a 48 year journey crisscrossing the United States and Puerto Rico at first as an Airman, and then later continuing and completing his career as a civilian in the Federal Aviation Administration until retiring in 1997. The two joys of his life, his children Erica Whitney and Frank Ryan were born in 1972 and 1978 respectively. Aside from his family, his other true love was his cattle. Raised in the shadow of a cattleman, he was a true rancher at heart and maintained this life as much as and as long as he physically could, though it was difficult at times, due to his family’s many moves. Though the stresses of his career at times were great, he never showed them, and found tranquility in his “other job” of working his cattle. Larry was a lover of family, friends and life, always bringing a positive outlook and oftentimes, silly approach to his relationships and work. He peacefully left his physical body for his eternal one at home, surrounded by those he loved dearly. He is survived by his love, Jeanette, his daughter Erica and son-in-law, John, and grandsons, Daniel Reily and John Patrick, of Wright City, son Ryan and daughter-in-law, Jennifer and grandchildren Luke Ryan and Emory Claire of Fort Collins, Colorado. He is also survived by his sister, Judy James and brother-in-law Lynn of Onondaga, Michigan, sister Kate Little of Nortonville, Kentucky, and brother, Tim and sister-in-law, Angela, of Elkton, Kentucky. He is preceded in death by his parents Frank and Marjorie. His parting words are very simple and were shared many times throughout his life, regardless of the time of year: “Merry Christmas!” Services will be held at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Tecumseh, Nebraska on Saturday, May 9, 2015 at 10:00am, with graveside services at Vesta Cemetery following. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be directed towards finding a cure for Parkinson’s Disease P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741

Larry James LITTLE

February 6, 1944 - April 30, 2015