John N. "Jack" Little

Jack (John) N. Little, (aka "Papasan") died peacefully at age 81, surrounded by his family on Sept. 2, 2015, in Austin, Texas after a brief illness. A memorial service celebrating Jack's life will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Sept. 7, 2015, at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas.

Jack will be remembered as a man who was a source of intelligent conversation sprinkled with wit, wisdom and abundant life experience. His love of learning was infectious, and his example of grace and dignity wrapped in an understated package was a joy to behold.

Jack grew up in Big Spring, Texas. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout and served as president of the student body at Big Spring High School. After graduating from high school at age 16, he attended the University of Texas in Austin , where he was elected Foreman of the Texas Cowboys, Abbot of the Friar Society and Vice President of the Student Body before graduating from UT Law School, where he served on the Texas Law Review. He was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

Jack met Gayle Harlan, the love of his life, at UT, and they remained sweethearts for 61 years until parted by his death. Although Gayle was from Houston, she cheerfully went to Big Spring with him when they married, as Jack wanted to practice law with his father, who specialized in the defense of civil suits.

Jack's practice blossomed and he was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers at the age of 41. By the time Jack retired, he had handled hundreds of cases for defendants in civil litigation in more than 30 Texas counties and in courts ranging from El Paso in the west, Abilene in the east, Amarillo in the north, and Del Rio in the south, as well the Texas Supreme Court and the U.S. Fifth Circuit.

After Jack retired, he and Gayle moved to Austin in 1996 where he devoted his time to passions and hobbies that surpassed his career ambitions. Jack enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren and friends. He was a member of Covenant Presbyterian Church.

Jack served as chairman of the Research Task Force of the UT Centennial Commission, and he later served on the Research Committee as a member of the UT Commission of 125.

Jack had a lifelong interest in learning. After retiring and returning to Austin, he audited courses in a variety of subjects at UT, in addition to studying university-level materials both published and online.

Jack earned a twin-engine pilot's license, a Master YMCA Scuba rating, and he was delighted when he finally learned how to (generally) remain vertical on most ski runs. Jack and Gayle traveled extensively around the world, and after brushing up on the languages he would likely encounter in other countries, Jack became proficient enough in Spanish, Italian, German and French to communicate with locals who spoke no English.

Jack is survived by his wife, Gayle; their four children, Paige Hamilton of Austin, Irene Little Flannery of New York, N.Y, Carrie Villani of Austin and her husband, Rick Villani, and John Little of Oregon; seven grandchildren, Dr. Baker Hamilton, M.D. and his wife Emily, of Boston, Captain John Wells Hamilton, on duty with the Marine Corps, John Flannery and Katie Flannery of Virginia, Emily Villani, Jack Villani and Anne Villani of Austin; and great-grandsons, James Hamilton and Jack Hamilton of Boston. Jack is also survived by his brother, James W. (Jim Bill) Little, and his wife, Nancy Little of Midland, Texas, and many nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as Tony Villani and Kent and Susan Presnell of Austin.

His parents, James and Irene Little, and his sister, Kathleen Elliott, predeceased him.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made to the charity of your choice.