HERBERT GEORGE LYTTLE Jr.

1921 - 2012 Born in Menlo Park, California in 1921, to Herbert G. Lyttle and Florence Burleson Lyttle, Herb was a 4th generation Californian. After spending his early years in Hueneme California, Herb moved with the family to Ojai. He and his two younger brothers, John and Rick, attended the Ojai Valley School and later the Thacher School, where Herb proved to be an expert horseman. He and his white horse, Electron, won many awards in Gymkhana and the two were featured in an action picture that served as the school icon for many years. In 1940 Herb began studying animal husbandry at Cornell University, but World War II interrupted his academic career. The US Marines soon recognized his math skills and put him to work teaching future Radar operators in Corpus Christi, Texas. It was there, on October 9, 1943, that he married Sally Miller of Tarzana, California. Several months later he was sent to officer's training school in Quantico, Virginia, where he soon fell ill with polio. He survived the disease, but left the Marines with atrophied chest muscles, a handicap that he stoutly ignored most of his life. Herb and Sally had four children, Leslie, "Cricket," and the twins, Martha and Mike. In 1956 Herb became manager of a feedlot in Kerman, near Fresno, owned by William H. Noble. At the time, the lot was operating at a loss for some unknown reason. Herb immediately recognized that the mill was grinding the feed too coarsely and, after a few changes, the operation began showing a profit. In 1961 the family purchased a home on a small vineyard near the San Joaquin River which they called Sycamore Point. They kept horses and there was always at least one dog, German shepherds being the favorite. After Sally died in 1992 at age 66, Herb remained on the ranch a few more years until 1994, when he married Patricia Hopper, a well-known and widely acclaimed ceramic artist, famous for her garden fountains and sculptures. Herb and Pat settled in Fresno where they were actively involved in the arts and many civic organizations. Herb had a great capacity for friendship and kept in touch for years with those he first knew in high school and college. His warmth and humor were legendary, and he was loved by all who knew him. Herb's death came after struggling several years with Alzheimer's. He died at home on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2012. The family would like to thank his loyal caregivers who helped to make his final years happy and comfortable: Norma, Nancy, Inez, Shayne, Annie, Monica, Rosemary and Denise. He is survived by his wife, Pat Hopper Lyttle; brother, Rick Lyttle of Pt. Reyes; children, Leslie Henderson of Watsonville, Cricket Ogren of Sacramento, Marti Lyttle of Seattle, Wa., and Mike Lyttle of Williamsburg, Va.; step-daughter, Anne Peck of Fresno; in addition to 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Services will be held at a later date. Donations in his memory may be made to The Alzheimer's Association (ALZ.org)