John M. Little Jr.

John M Little, Jr, age 93, died on January 6, 2015 in Dallas, Texas of natural causes. John was born in Winfield, Kansas on May 6, 1921 to John and Blanche Bishop Little. He grew up in Wichita, Kansas and attended Kansas State University, where he was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity. After transferring, John graduated from Wichita University. After graduation John worked as a designer for Beech Aircraft in Wichita before and after WWII. During the war he served in the Army Air Force. John’s career in the oil & gas industry began in 1946 drilling oil wells with his brother Bill in western Kansas. In 1948, John moved to the Midland/Odessa area and began working for Fred Koch developing oil fields and drilling wells for Wood River Oil and Vickers Petroleum Company. While there he met Harry S Moss and was hired to run his oil production operation. While working for Mr. Moss John was instrumental in the development of a large portion of Big Spring, Texas which included housing developments, shopping centers, schools and parks. John continued to work for Mr. Moss until his death and then for his estate, eventually purchasing Moss Petroleum Company in 1981 and remaining at its helm until his retirement. John married Donna Kaelson in 1949 and moved to Big Spring and then to Dallas in 1951, where they lived and raised their three children until her death in 1986. John married Gloria Leggett of Menard, Texas in 1989 and after retiring from the oil business, they moved to his ranch in Emory, Texas to concentrate on his ranching business. John developed JD Ranches and went into ranching with great enthusiasm. John was happiest when building houses, pipe fences and barns on his Ranch in East Texas. John was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation, Brook Hollow Golf Club, Knife and Fork Club, Cadence Dance Club, Dallas Association of Petroleum Landmen, Dallas Wildcatters, and past President of the Dallas Petroleum Club. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Gloria, his three children- J Little of Spokane WA, Mary Ann Tatum and husband John of Dallas, Dan Little and wife Betsy of Dallas, step-daughter Heather Bryant of Dallas, sister-in-law Janet Little of Great Bend KS, and grandchildren Bo and Kaelson Little and John and Thomas Tatum. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bill Little of Great Bend KS sister Joan Treiman of Princeton NJ, and grandson, Paul Tatum of Dallas. A private graveside service will be held at Sparkman Hillcrest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to UT Southwestern Medical Center Development Office, P.O. Box 910888, Dallas, Texas 75391, or a charity of your choice.