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Little -- Howard Ray Little passed away December 5, 2002 in Scottsdale, AZ after a short illness. He was 71 years of age. Howard was born January 16, 1931 to Paul Little and Nina Turner Little in Silver City, NM. He grew up loving the ranching lifestyle and spent much time on the EZ-Ranch, his family homestead near Hurley, NM. After graduating from New Mexico A & M in 1952 with a BS in Animal Husbandry, he worked for the Selman Brothers ranch near Watrous, NM and moved to Boise City, OK in 1956. Howard spent nine years in Oklahoma operating a Mobile Oil Dealership with his first wife, Tina and their children. In 1969, Howard graduated from Baylor Dental College, Dallas, Texas, and opened his dental practice in Socorro, NM. Howard and Tina raised their children and were active members of the community. Howard retired from the dental practice in 1994. He married Bobbie Neal in 1996 and resided in Silver City, NM until his death. He was an active member of the Socorro Rotary Club and was honored by receiving the Paul Harris Fellow Award; he was a Mason, Scottish Rite Shrine Club and a Veteran of the Korean War. The Socorro Chamber of Commerce recognized his contributions to the community by honoring Howard as"Man of the Year". He was a member of the New Mexico Boys and Girls Ranch Board of Directors. He contributed to the Ranch by voluntarily treating hundreds of boys and girls. Howard was active in the New Mexico Dental Association and American Dental Association. He received many awards including"New Mexico Dentist of the Year" and the ADA Dental Fellow. Howard is survived by his wife of six years, Bobbie Neal Little of Silver City; children, Gayle and husband, John Jones of Truth or Consequences, Paula and husband, Jim Jenkins of Buckhorn, Vannetta and husband, Gary Perry of Socorro, Rayna and her husband, Cordell Aiken of Los Alamos, Randy and wife, Dulcy Little of Starkville, Mississippi, Kim and husband, Steve Allen of Deming, and Lynn and wife, Kim Neal of Silver City; grandchildren, Brad and Lauren Saulsberry, Eric, Keith, and Kimberly Jones; Jenna, Justin, Jace, and Jamie Jenkins, Galen, Dustin, and Brett Perry, Gayle and Will Holden, Jonathan, Christy, Benjamin, Micah, AnnaLee and Jesse Little, Justin, Wacey and Aubrey Allen and Seth Neal; sister-in-law, Dona Irwin of Deming. Howard was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Paul Little and infant brother, John Little; and first wife, Tina Johnston Little. Howard will always be remembered as the gentle cowboy. He was a true friend to all and was always doing for others with a giving and caring spirit. His most pleasurable times were with his family and riding horseback. Funeral Services were held Monday, December 9, 2002 at the First United Methodist Church, Silver City, New Mexico, burial followed at the Masonic Cemetery. Reverend Jim Massey officiated. A Memorial Service is scheduled for Wednesday, December 11, 2002 at Kelly Hall in Socorro, NM. Entrusted to the care of Baca's Funeral Chapels of Silver City, US Hwy. 180 East at Delk Drive. Phone 388-2334.
        Published on: Wed December 11, 2002