James Little

Jim Little was a devoted husband, father, and grandpa who found his greatest joy in the warm company of his beloved family. He knew that his life was filled with blessings, and each day he tried to share his happiness with the many people he loved. After the German invasion of Poland, the Second World War burgeoned throughout Europe. Amid this climate of uncertainty, Vernon Little and his wife Mildred Dolph maintained their optimistic spirit by looking toward a different future, the future of their family. They were expecting a child and on November 18, 1940 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son James Andrew Little in Muskegon, Michigan. The youngest of three children, Jamie grew up on the family farm in Shelby with the company of his siblings, Doris and Larry. Jamie was the baby of the family: he was fourteen years younger than his sister, eight years younger than his brother. While their father provided for the family through his job at Continental Motors, their mother tended to the house and also volunteered with the Navy Mothers Group. As a child Jamie suffered from rheumatic fever and was bedridden for several years. Following his recovery, the Little family moved to Muskegon where Jamie attended Muskegon Heights High School. Jim received his spiritual education at Broadway Baptist Church. His family was active in the congregation, and he regularly participated in church functions. At the age of seventeen Jim met Nancy Hoerle, the pastors daughter. They enjoyed each others company, and three years later their friendship evolved into a relationship. Jim had fallen in love. Several times each week he walked from his home in Cloverville to North Muskegon to see Nancy; the distance was about ten miles. He was deeply in love, and on November 24, 1961 he and Nancy were united in marriage. Prior to his marriage Jim joined the United States Navy. Health problems kept him from active duty, and he was discharged in the spring of 1962. He and Nancy then lived with his father on George Street for a short time before finding a place of their own. They were blessed with five wonderful children: their daughter Arlene was born in 1962, followed by John in 1964, James in 1967, Joshua in 1974, and Sarah in 1983. To provide for his growing family, Jim sorted metal at Fisher Steel for over twenty years. After a long day he loved to come home and share his stories with his kids. During his vacations he took the family to Hesperia where they would camp near Minnie Pond. It was a rustic campground, and eventually Jim upgraded to state parks. He remained close to his brother Larry, with whom he converted an old school bus into a camper that his children affectionately called the Blue Beast. Jim loved that camper. He and Larry installed a kitchen, shower, furnace, bunk beds, and a rocker chair. The Blue Beast provided the setting for many of Jims favorite memories. In the late 1970s Jim was injured at work, and he was unemployed for several years while he recovered. When he regained his health he found a job at the Muskegon County Airport. He initially worked at the ticket booth in the parking lot, then the coffee cart. Eventually he began working security, where he was responsible for x-ray screenings of carry-on luggage. He enjoyed his job, but he decided to retire after the security revisions following September Eleventh. Jim was an ordained minister and with his family later attended Oakcrest Church of God. He had the privilege to marry several members of his family. In his spare time he explored an interest in CB Radio, and where his handle was Muskegon Preacher. Jim enjoyed communicating over his CB, and he often visited the people he met over the radio. He also loved to go to flea markets and garage sales where he could always find something worth fixing. He was a true handyman: he could fix anything, and he was more than eager to lend his skills to family and friends. Jim also liked to go hunting and fishing, and he was frequently accompanied by his brother Larry, his sons, grandsons and his nephews. They typically went to Pine Point and, later, Whiskey Creek. Jim cooked whatever they hunted. He was a skilled chef whose meals always beckoned a full dinner table. In his later years Jim was thrilled to see his family grow with the blessing of several grandchildren. He loved his grandkids, and he was always happy when they visited him at work. He was a true family man. He was the happiest when he was with his wife, children, and grandkids, and in their company a familiar smile always brimmed over his lips. In 2006 Jim was diagnosed with Renal Cell Cancer, a form of kidney cancer highly resistant to radiation treatment and chemotherapy. He fought bravely, but his prognosis was poor. His doctors removed one kidney, but the disease spread to other parts of his body. Jim was a beloved family man who always thought of others before himself. He was generous in spirit: he was willing to help anybody, to give of his time. He was a peacemaker who always saw the best in people. Among the many people who loved him, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered. Jim died at home on Monday, August 27, 2007 with his family around him. He is survived by his wife Nancy; his three sons, John (Brenda) Little of Muskegon. James (Robin) Little of Muskegon & Joshua (Terri) Little of Iowa; his two daughters, Arlene (Jim Hines) Burnett of Muskegon & Sarah Little of Muskegon; 13 grandchildren, Patrick, James Robert and Anna Burnett, James III, Tyler, Kortney and Makenna Little, Brian, Daniel and Alex Johnson, David DJ, Shelby Little and Ayanna Little; 1 sister, Doris Anderson of Muskegon & 1 brother, Larry (Rita) Little of Muskegon. A memorial service for Jim will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2007, 3:00 PM at Oakcrest Church of God with Rev. Robert Rogers and Rev. Brad LeBreyere officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the The Noah Project. Please visit Jims personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.