Edward Dean Little
1933 - 2008

Published in the Bakersfield Californian on 10/25/2008

Dean Little passed away Saturday, October 18, 2008, after a short illness in Las Cruces, New Mexico at the age of 75 years.

He was born the 3rd son of 5 boys and 1 girl to Edna Mae Ruth and Ervin Anderson Little in Crosbyton, Texas. Dean grew up in Bakersfield with his brothers, Freeman, Jack, Delbert, Bob and his little sister, Wanda.

He was a standout athlete in baseball, football and basketball at Bakersfield High School ("Friday Night Heroes") and Bakersfield College, where he participated in the 1953 Jr. Rose Bowl.

Dean signed a professional baseball contract with the Bakersfield Boosters Minor League Baseball Club. He was later released after being drafted into the U.S. Army.

Dean married his high school and lifelong sweetheart, Patricia "Hull" Little, who preceded him in death just 2 days before their 50th wedding anniversary in June of 2003. After his military service in Wurzburg, Germany Dean returned to Bakersfield with his wife and their new baby girl.

Dean found his career in banking and spent the majority of it with Bank of America. He promoted quickly, spending time in San Luis Obispo County, the Bay Area and Fresno. He was an integral part of the design team for the B of A headquarters in San Francisco.

He served on numerous community boards and was honored several times as an outstanding businessman in the communities he lived in. He was also quite honored to serve as Ronald Reagan's assistant campaign Treasurer when he ran for Governor of California.

Once retired, he and Pat moved their family back to Bakersfield to be close to their family. Dean enjoyed playing golf and would consistently come home with trophies for each of his four daughters, depending on whose turn it was that weekend to receive it.

He loved to work in the yard and if you drove by most evenings it wasn't uncommon to see him outside with the hose wrapped around his shoulders watering. Dean attended and was an active member of Bakersfield First Assembly of God Church.

He and his family enjoyed working with a team of others from the Church feeding the hungry each week. Dean and Pat organized the Church picnics and BBQ's for several years. He also served as the Sunday School Superintendent.

Surviving Dean are his current wife of 3 years, Ruth Little and family, of Las Cruces, New Mexico; brother, Delbert Little and wife, Jackie; sister, Wanda Pierce; daughter, Lynn Gentry and husband, Bill; daughter, Deanna Brandon and husband, Patrick; daughter, Candice Little; and daughter, Anna Lisa Little, of Bakersfield; 8 grandchildren, Ethan and Tyler, Candice Ellis and husband, Ben, Alex and Stephen Brandon, Teddy and Jonny Brandon, and Aubrey Middleton; 2 great-grandchildren, Morgan and Ethan Ellis.

Graveside services will be held at Union Cemetery Tuesday, October 28, 2008, 10:30 a.m., with a Memorial Service to follow at 11:30 a.m., at Bakersfield First Assembly of God Church, 4901 California Ave.