Roll Call Tribute

Ray Samuel Little 

September 24, 1923 - April 3, 2024 

Raymon Samuel Little of Corpus Christi, Rockport, and Portland, Texas, passed away on April 3, 2024. He was born in Wilmer, Texas, on September 24, 1923. He was 100 years old.

Ray graduated from Wilmer-Hutchins High School in 1940, and went on to Texas A&M University, that was cut short by World War II. When the war started, Ray began working at his uncle’s shipyard in Savannah, Georgia. He chose to join the United States Navy in November 1943, and began active duty as a Corpsman in January of 1944. From there, he was shipped out to the Philippines, and was on Okinawa territory during the Easter Day invasion, where he and four others were captured for a day and later rescued by United States Marines. Ray was honorably discharged in May of 1946.

Ray married his beloved wife, Margie Cheek Little, on February 14, 1947. He worked several jobs including the beginning days of Owens Sausage. Ray made a career of sales to hospital laboratories for Scientific Products, which later became Baxter Healthcare. He finished his career with Curtis Mathes Scientific.

After retiring, Ray worked for many years as the bird guide on the Wharf Cat for their Whooping Crane trips in winters when it was harbored in Rockport, Texas. This fit along side his birding hobby, which he and his family were passionate. He also maintained nature preserves for Corpus Christi Audubon Outdoor Club and Aransas First. Ray was also a proud Mason out of Lancaster, Texas.

Ray is preceded in death by his wife, Margie Cheek Little of Vernon, Portland, and Rockport, Texas; father, Reuben Sherman Little; mother, Zona Mae Johnson Little of Wilmer, Texas; and brother, Dorman Little of Hurst, Texas.

Ray is survived by his sons, Terry (Kelleen) Little of Corpus Christi, Texas and Dell Little (D.D. Currie) of Fort Davis, Texas; grandson, Joshua (Jennifer) Little of Eugene, Oregon; and great-grandson, Mason Little of Eugene, Oregon.

The family will be honoring Ray’s wishes of cremation and will be scattering his ashes at his favorite birding spots and alongside his wife’s resting place at Trinity Cemetery in Wilmer, Texas. A Memorial Service will be announced later this spring in Rockport, Texas.

To leave memories or condolences to the Little family, please visit www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com