Jud Little Dies

Jud Quintin Little was born in Sherman, Texas, on November 26, 1946, to Quintin and Carrie Lou Scott Little. He was a member of the church of Christ. Jud passed away peacefully at his home on the Jud Little Ranch, his Heaven on Earth, March 25, 2020, following a short illness.

He attended Ardmore Public Schools during his elementary and middle school years and high school at Culver Military Academy, in Culver, Indiana, graduating in June 1965. Jud then attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. After earning a degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Finance and Commerce, Philadelphia, Pennyslvania, he returned to Oklahoma and assumed control of The Quintin Little Companies. Working in the family business for over 50 years, he served as president and chief executive officer at the time of his passing. With his professional life squared away, Jud turned to his passion for horses on his ranch nestled in the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains.

Jud raised registered Hereford cattle for more than 40 years, having established a premier commercial cattle operation. His cattle were always top contenders at the Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show and won numerous championship honors. Jud was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, Oklahoma Quarter Horse Association, Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association, Barrel Futurities of America, Oklahoma Cattleman's Association, Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and Southwestern Exposition and Livestock Show.

A breeder of world class barrel racing horses, Little also bred racehorses that in his own name earned more than $170,000 on the racetrack, including Had To Be Fandango, a six-figure earner and the dam of two-time Canadian champion Had To Be Ivory. He has also bred the earners of more than 2,403 points, including four world champions.  

He served as a former Commissioner of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (1977-1991), former President and member of the Y.M.C.A. and member of the Board of Directors, past president of the Ardmore Rotary club, former Director of the Ardmore Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of Ducks Unlimited and many, many other civic and professional organizations.

Jud is survived by his wife, Benette Barrington Little, of the home; daughter, Mattie Mires Little Jackson and husband Carl, of Goldsby, Oklahoma; granddaughters, Emory Lou and Sacra Lee Jackson; grandson, Greer Davis Jackson, of Goldsby; son, Penn Little, Chicago, Illinois; father-in-law, Ben Barrington, brother-in-law, Matthew Barrington and wife Lisa, all of Lubbock, Texas; sister-in-law, Stacey Barrington, Springer, Oklahoma; nieces, Katherine and Clara Barrington, Lubbock, Texas; Tristyn Rinehart, Springer, Oklahoma; and sister, Penny Downing, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, Quintin and Carrie Lou Little; and brother, Scott E. Little.

A private burial was held at Oakland Cemetery and a celebration of life will be held later. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Jud Little Scholarship Endowment at Culver Academies, 1300 Academy Rd. #153, Culver, IN 46511 (www.culver.org/makeagift); or Ardmore YMCA, 920 NW 15th, Ardmore, OK 73401.