Allan Gray Little

Allan Gray Little passed away on August 10, 2016 in Austin, TX at the age of 83. He was born in Rosebud, TX on November 21, 1932 to G B Little and Pauline Page. Allan grew up in Rosebud with one brother, Dwight. The family later moved to San Antonio, TX, where he graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He attended Texas A&M for one year before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1951 as a Private. Allan embarked on a successful 38 year career in the U.S. Army, rising from the rank of Private to the rank of Colonel. During his Army career, Allan served 2 tours of duty in Vietnam, 2 tours in Republic of Korea, 4 tours in Germany, 2 tours in the Caribbean, and numerous posts in the United States. He earned numerous decorations and medals for his service including: The Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Service Stars, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and several others. Allan also was very committed to the importance of education. Although he completed 1 year of college before enlisting in the Army, through hard work and commitment, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business and Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Master's Degree in Business and Government from Webster University in St. Louis. He also furthered his military education through such select training as the Officer's Candidate Course, the Transportation Officer Advanced Course, and the Command and General Staff College. Throughout his military career, Allan sought out and accepted increasing positions of responsibility, including command of a battalion, command of the 324th Support Group and service as the last Senior Aide-de-Camp to General of the Army Omar N. Bradley. However, he considered his most important role to lead and support his fellow soldiers. Through his Army service, he made many lifelong friends whom he considers to be family to him. Allan was first and foremost committed to his family, most of all to Lisa, his loving wife of 62 years. Allan met the lovely Lisa Ilse Fascher of Jeggel, Germany when he was stationed in Germany. Allan and Lisa were married December 24, 1954 in Echterdingen, Germany. He was a dedicated father to their 4 children: Bunny, Cathy, Allan Jr. and Thomas. As an Army family, Allan and Lisa and their children travelled to many parts of the world, expanding their knowledge of other cultures and people and forming many close friendships which continue to this day. As Allan and Lisa's children became adults and began careers and families of their own, they carried with them the values and principles that Allan instilled in them. Following Allan's example of the importance of education, all four children graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, so even though Allan started at Texas A&M and still loves to see the Aggie Band, he became an avid Longhorn supporter and was a fixture at UT football games. Upon Allan's retirement from the U.S. Army in 1989 after 38 dedicated years of service, he and Lisa settled in Austin, TX. Never one to rest or turn down a challenge, he embarked on a successful second career that lasted over 25 more years. He worked for the State of Texas and then as a consultant in the area of government contract procurement and execution. In that capacity, he worked in particular with numerous blind individuals in securing contracts for state and federal food service facilities. Allan made more wonderful friends through this work and had a positive impact on many people. Meanwhile, Allan and Lisa's family continued to grow to include the spouses of his children, 7 grandchildren, and grandchildren's spouses, all of whom Allan loved immensely and who have been enriched by having Allan in their lives. Allan is preceded in death by his parents, G B Little and Pauline Page Lisle and his brother, Dwight Page Little. He is survived by his wife, Lisa, daughter Bunny and son-in-law Ted Neible, daughter Cathy and son-in-law Glenn Lively, son Allan Jr. and daughter-in-law Sue Rostvold, and son Thomas. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren and their spouses: Kristen Lively and husband Jay Thames, Laura and husband Matthew Braun, Mark Lively, Helen Little, Clayton Little, Jacqueline Little and Sabrina Little. Allan will be laid to rest in Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with a short Commitment Service at the cemetery on Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at 1:45 pm. A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Allan's life on Thursday, August 18, 2016 at 2:00 pm. Allan has been a blessing in the lives of his family and friends, and he will be very much missed. May the Lord lift up Allan in His arms and may he rest in peace for eternity. Services: Commitment Service: Wednesday, August 17, 2016, 1:45 pm Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery 1520 Harry Wurzbach Road San Antonio TX (Note: Turn left on Winans Road from Harry Wurzbach, then right on Nursery Road, and enter cemetery gate on the right; stop at information officer for directions to service location within the cemetery) Memorial Service: Thursday, August 18, 2016, 2:00 pm St. David's Episcopal Church 301 East 8th Street Austin, TX 78701 Officiant: The Rev. Bob Gribble Refreshments to be served in church hall following service (Note: Free parking in parking garage east of church; enter from one-way northbound Trinity Street) Floral remembrances may be sent to: Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home 3125 North Lamar Boulevard Austin, TX 78705 512-452-8811 In lieu of flowers, you may wish to make a donation to the charity of your choice in remembrance of Allan.