James Thomas (J.T.) Little

with his daughter and caregiver, Sandra Hewson, and oldest daughter, Vicki Evanatz, at his side. Jim was born in Greenwood, Mississippi to Chester K. (Doc) and Ava Guild Little on April 7, 1923. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to East Chicago where he attended primary school and graduated from Roosevelt High School. He participated on the wrestling team in the heavy weight category and also played on the football team during his years at Roosevelt. While a teenager, J.T. was a founding member of a neighborhood club of boys called Club Comita where he was adeptly nick-named, “Sloppy.” The club members remained friends for many decades.

After high school, Jim attended DePauw University in Greencastle, IN where he was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. While at DePauw, he was a Rector Scholar and MVP on the Fighting Tigers Football Team. The bombing of Pearl Harbor in December of 1941 changed his fate as well as the fate of other young men who responded to the call of duty. Second Lieutenant James T. Little served his country in the Army Air Corps from November, 1944 to November, 1946 with the 401st Bomb Group as a navigator on a B17 bomber and the 62nd AAFBU on a search and rescue team upon his return to the United States.

On July 5, 1945, Jim married Rae Whitmire of Whiting, Indiana. The couple were married for 60 years when Rae proceeded him in death in 2006. Surviving are four daughters, Vicki Lynn Evanatz of Portage, Sheri Leigh (David) Gow of Valparaiso, Sandi Lou (David) Hewson of Highland, and Lauri Jane (Henry) Bayer of Kingman, AZ. In addition, there are five grandchildren, Greg (Kim) Evanatz of Schererville, Jenny (Mark) Long of Hobart, Melissa (Joe) Medina of Portage, Kerry (Catherine) Hewson of Killen, AL, and Deanna (Craig) Glasgow of Newport, NC, twenty great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Following his military service, Jim completed his Bachelor Degree at DePauw University and moved his wife and young daughter to Syracuse, NY where he enrolled at Syracuse University in Political Science, intending to pursue a career in law. In 1953, the family moved to Chicago and then to Oak Park, IL where Jim went to work for his brother-in-law in a downtown Chicago coffee shop, and there learned the business of running a restaurant. Two coffee shops later, Jim decided to sell his downtown businesses and purchase a family friendly cafeteria style restaurant which he called OBIE’S after his old friend and new partner, Obie Snow. Affordable family dining with friendly and courteous service was the goal for his six OBIE’S Restaurants and Catering Businesses located in Highland and Michigan City, IN, Calumet City and Waukegan, IL, and Racine and Hales Corners, WI. Jim was a Past-President of the International Foodservice Executives Association and the Northern Illinois Foodservice Executives Association and a recipient of the prestigious Donnelley Award. In 2004 J.T was inducted into the Indiana Restaurant & Hospitality Association Hall of Fame. In 1967, Jim and Rae moved their family to Highland, IN where he lived until his passing.

Jim was a Past Master of Indiana Harbor Masonic Lodge #686 where many friendships were forged and memories made. He was a long time member of the First United Methodist Church in Griffith, IN.

Jim Little loved his family and he loved the Lord. Visitation will be held at Kuiper Funeral Home in Highland from 4:00pm- 8:00pm (Masonic Service at 7:00pm) on Thursday, July 21, 2016. A Celebration of his life on Earth will be held Friday, July 22, 2016 at 10:00 am at First United Methodist Church, Griffith, with Pastor Mark L. Dicken officiating. Interment will follow at Fairmount Willow Hills Memorial Park in Willow Springs, IL. Memorials may be made to Griffith United Methodist Church or the Northwest Indiana Humane Society.

Please visit: www.kuiperfh.com.