Gene R. Little

On Sunday, February 18, 2018, Gene Roy Little, beloved husband, father and grandfather, died at the age of 89 in his home in Olympia. He was born on April 1, 1928, in Seattle, Washington, to Coral and Ellen (Taylor) Little, the second of four children. After his graduation From Highline High School in 1946, he attended Washington State University where he graduated with a degree in Natural Resources. He married his first wife of 60 years and mother of his three children, Carol Richards on September 19, 1947.

After graduation, he was promptly employed by the Federal Forest Service, as a smoke jumper in the newly formed Smoke Jumpers. After a year, he was hired by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, where he, distinguished himself for over thirty years until his retirement in 1982 as head of the Technical Services Division. After his retirement, he remained very active, caregiving for his wife Carol up until her passing. Serving on both the Washington State Noxious Weed Control and Olympia Symphony Boards, and volunteering for the Lacey Police Department as a Senior Patrolman.

He loved working on his thirty-acre farm where he raised Scotch Highland beef cattle and several horses. Gene was a tireless worker with a sharp analytical mind and a great sense of humor. He was always

helping people and was very generous with his time, talents and resources. He and his wife Carol were known for opening their household to high school exchange students, foster children and college students from Africa and Mexico.

In 2013 he married Deborah Armstrong and continued to enjoy life, traveling, playing cards and visiting with friends and family.

Left to honor and celebrate his life are his wife, Deborah; three children, Mark (Sandy) Huntington, Lorna Eder, and Dane (Carrie) Little; four grandchildren, Moses, Mollie, Marley and Morgan; and his sister, Lois Guerro.

Gene was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Carol, his brother Charles Little and sister Kathy Sims.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, May 26, 2018 at the Seashore Villa Club House 12:00pm-4:00pm

Service provided by Mills & Mills Funeral Home and Memorial Park www.millsandmillsfunerals.com