Philip Little

Funeral services with the Rosary recited for Philip Little, 93-year-old Leiter, Wyoming resident who passed away Wednesday at the Johnson County Health Care Center in Buffalo will be held Saturday, April 5^th at 1:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Buffalo.  Interment will be in Willow Grove Cemetery with Military Graveside services to follow at 2:00 p.m. A visitation will be held at the Harness Funeral Home Chapel on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Donations in Phil’s memory may be made to the American Legion Post 13 at 18 Veterans Ave. in Buffalo, Wyoming 82834.  Online condolences may be made at www.harnessfuneralhome.com

Philip Sheridan Little Jr. was born July 26, 1931, in Sheridan, WY to Philip Sheridan Little, Sr. and Teresa Francis (Twomey) Little.  He and his two older brothers were raised on the ranch that was homesteaded by each parent near Leiter, WY.

Phil’s elementary education was in a one-room schoolhouse called Cadiz situated near Leiter.  He attended high school in Buffalo and graduated in 1949.

Phil was drafted into the Army on June 10, 1952.  In Korea, he was a member of the 26^th Infantry Scout Dog Platoon, a small unit that ran squad-sized night patrols in front of the 3^rd and 25^th Divisions in “no man’s land” between the Chinese and the Americans.  In a nighttime fire fight on June 10, 1953, he and his German Shepherd patrol dog named Ave, were wounded.  After a period of recovery, Phil returned home while his dog returned to duty with another handler.  Along with other awards, he received the Purple Heart Medal and in 2016 received the Korean Peace Medal.

He spent four seasons working for Holly Sugar in Worland, WY at the sugar beet factory.  For a time, he also worked on the building of Jackson Lake Lodge in Jackson, WY. 

After the three brothers’ time away in the military and pursuing other endeavors for a short while, together they formed the Little Ranch Co., Inc., expanding their holdings on the original place.

He married Glory B Jones on September 15, 1956.  To this union four daughters were born: Teresa Carrie, Lisa Erin, Shannon Reyne, and Mary Kaleen.

He was an adventurous man, including participating in various rodeos in Wyoming, riding bareback and competing in the wild horse races with great success.  In 1956, he earned All-Around Cowboy at the Johnson County Fair and Rodeo.  He climbed the Grand Teton and Black Tooth Mountains, and in later years took a couple of his daughters to the top of Cloud Peak and Bomber Mountains. He was an avid sports fan and especially enjoyed amateur wrestling.

Phil was a founding member of the Cadiz Corporation, a small group of visionaries, who recognized the importance of saving Wyoming’s water.  They held several reservoir filings throughout Wyoming, including the Tie Hack Reservoir which is now the principal storage water for the City of Buffalo.  They also worked with Texaco to enlarge Lake DeSmet, creating additional storage water for the Lower Clear Creek Irrigation District.  Phil was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Clearmont, WY for his entire life.  He also served on many boards, including school, water, and predator.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Glory; his four daughters, T. Carrie Little, Lisa (Tim) Lohof, Shannon (Larry) Herzog, and Mary Talbott; a sister-in-law Billie Little; one nephew Sam (Emilie) Little; five grandchildren, Sheridan (Kelly) Little, Kellen Little, Riata (Ian) Little Walker, Payden Talbott, and Luke Talbott; and six great-grandchildren; as well as many friends and neighbors who have known and worked with him throughout his lifetime. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers John William (Jack) Little and Daniel Patrick (Pat) Little; a sister-in-law Carmen Little; and one great-granddaughter Riana Little Walker.