Thomas Dan Little

Thomas Little was born in Stuttgart, Germany, to Allan and Lisa Little, the youngest of four children. His father, Allan Sr., was a career Army officer. Thomas spent much of his childhood living on various military bases: an army base in Schwäbisch Hall, Germany, the U.S. Naval base in Jinhae, Korea, U.S. Army bases in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Lee and Fort Eustis in Virginia, and Fort Bliss, El Paso. Due to his father’s deployments he moved frequently throughout his school years. He attended public schools in El Paso, Killeen, and Corpus Christi, Texas, as well as in St. Louis, Missouri. Thomas excelled in both academics and athletics and graduated from Austin High School in El Paso, Texas. In 1982, he joined his brother at The University of Texas at Austin, where he began as a chemistry major before discovering his true passion for mathematics. He earned his B.S. in Mathematics from UT Austin, followed by a master’s degree in Mathematics from Texas A&M University. He then returned to UT Austin to complete his Ph.D. in Mathematics.

Thomas’s dissertation in applied mathematics received national recognition and earned him a post-doctoral fellowship at the Courant Institute at New York University. He later pursued additional post-doctoral work at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. After his academic achievements, he embarked on a long and successful career on Wall Street, applying his mathematical expertise in the financial sector. He eventually settled in Houston, where he continued his work in finance.

His lifelong fascination with mathematics—from nonlinear equations to market dynamics—reflected both his brilliance and curiosity. Thomas’s work continues to be referenced by researchers around the world.

He was a devoted tennis player who competed at a high level, often against opponents half his age. He loved dogs, especially his last dog Felix the rottweiler. He took great pride in tending the fruit trees in his yard, and was an exceptional cook with a deep appreciation for healthy, natural foods.

Thomas will be remembered for his intellect, humor, warmth and generosity—and the way he made those around him laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Allan Little Sr. and Lisa (Fascher) Little. He is survived by his children, Clayton Little, Helen Little, Jacqueline Little, and Sabrina Little; his sisters, Bunny Neible and her husband Ted, and their daughter Laura; Cathy Lively and her husband Glenn, and their children Kristen and Mark; and his brother, Allan Little Jr., and his wife, Sue Rostvold.