Gary Wayne Little, 69, passed peacefully from this life and happily into the arms of Jesus Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born Dec. 2, 1948, in Newport News.
Upon graduation from Warwick High School in 1967, he attended Frederick College, Shenandoah Conservatory and James Madison University, earning a B.A. in music education and an M.A. in education.
While at James Madison, he met the love of his life, Peach (Patricia Ann Peach). They were married in 1973 and had four wonderful children.
Gary’s passion was music. He was instrumental in fostering a love of music in many students during his 35 years of teaching. He founded the Toano Saxophone Ensemble, Mr. Little’s Big Jazz Band and the Williamsburg Clarinet Choir. They performed on Merchants Square, at the Outlet Mall, Williamsburg Memorial Park, the Farmers Market and many other places. Gary had a special place in his heart for all of his students over the years. After teaching as a band director in James City County Schools, he worked for 29 years as a Quality Assurance Technician at Anheuser Busch.
He was a member, elder and beloved teacher at the Williamsburg Church of Christ. He served the Lord and led others to do the same. Gary also had a heart for serving his community and over the years was involved in the Jaycees, various music organizations, Williamsburg Recreation Department, First Night of Williamsburg and the Community Men’s Fellowship. He was a member of Phi Alpha Pi service fraternity and Theta Chi social fraternity.
Gary truly loved his family and enjoyed telling stories about his parents, siblings, extended family, and especially spending summers at his grandparents’ house with his cousins.
Gary is survived by his wife Peach (Pat); daughters, Becky Baird, and her husband, Logan, Robyn Baird, and her husband, Martin, and Katie Pennystone, and her husband, Eric; son, Geoff, and his wife, Jessica; and grandchildren, Reichley and Gibson Baird, Colby and Madelyn Pennystone and Grayson and Lucas Little. Also surviving are his sister, Martha Stevens; brother, Paul, and his wife, Karen; sister, Amy Denson, and her husband, Chris; aunt, Joyce Smith Pittman; special “brother” Jay Crofton; and many loving cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Grady Wallace and Hazel Smith Little.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Williamsburg Church of Christ, 227 Merrimac Trail, Williamsburg.
Share online condolences with the family at Cremation Society of Virginia.
