Ronald Little Obituary

Ronald Little, 82, of Gilbert, Arizona, passed away May 31st, 2025. He was born 5/11/43 in Englewood, Kansas, to Harold and Thelma Little. As a young boy, he grew up in a small rural town with his sister, Shirley, learning the values of community and hard work, and the joy of music and the outdoors. Ron attended Fort Hays State University, where he met the love of his life, Janet Ruth Finley. Ron and Jan were married on 9/2/62, and while living in Kansas, they had 2 sons, Bradley Harold and Burton James. Ron was thrilled to have new fishing buddies, and he quickly passed on his love of the outdoors to his boys while taking them to explore new fishing ponds on the weekends. With the unwavering support of his young bride, Ron attended Kansas State University School of Veterinary Medicine and graduated in June of 1977 with his doctorate in Veterinary Medicine. The Little family of 4 moved to Mesa, Arizona in 1977 and eventually grew to a family of 6 with the births of Renee' Ruth, and Ryan Christopher. In the mid-80s, Ron sold his Adobe Animal Hospital in Scottsdale and opened a house-call veterinary practice with the intention of having more flexibility and time for his family. This was a financial sacrifice, but Ron knew that the value of investing in his family was priceless. Making this change allowed him to coach Ryan's basketball teams, travel for Renee's softball, and start the small home church, Abiding in Christ, which lasted for years and resulted in many life-long friendships. If you knew Ron, you knew he loved his family fiercely, and time with them was a priority, and this included his family in Oklahoma. One of the things Ron, Jan, and their kids looked forward to most was planning family reunions to visit his family and ensure the cousins remained close. Ron's relationship with his sister, Shirley, has inspired a whole generation of siblings and cousins who not only love each other well but who wholeheartedly enjoy spending time together. What a beautiful legacy. After Ron retired, he found many ways to continue loving and mentoring others and growing his faith through hours of Bible study, coffee, breakfasts, time of worship and prayer, cheering on his grandkids, volunteering with youth at risk, and finding ways to pour his love and the love of the Lord into those around him. He also continued to foster his love for music. This love began when he was young, including a gig in college as the lead guitarist in a rock band, and evolved in his later years to worshiping God and leading others to do the same. Ron's beautiful bride passed away on August 14, 2019, and several years later, he reconnected with a previous client and friend, Debi Nelson, whom he married in January 2025. Debi played an important role in Ron's life over the past 2 years. Ron and his family are grateful for the love, support, kindness, and care she showed to him during their time together. What Ron would want you to know on this day and every day is that God loves you and his grace is free. In the summer of 1975, his life was forever changed by the grace and love of Jesus, and he never stopped pursuing God's heart and doing everything he could to make sure that others also felt and knew the same Grace and Love.