Frederick Thomas Little, Jr.,  affectionately known as Fred, was born  October 15, 1969 in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of four children born to the late Frederick T. Little, Sr. and Loretta May Horton Little. He regularly attended the Boys Clubs of America and also became a boy scout. Fred was baptized and received Christ at an early age. He was educated in the Detroit Public School system where he nurtured his love for music by learning to play the trumpet and later joined the middle school band. Fred continued playing trumpet in the Cass Technical High School Symphony Orchestra and the school Jazz Band. He graduated in 1987 before matriculating to Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia where he became a more accomplished trumpeter after joining the Morehouse Jazz Ensemble. He graduated from Morehouse with a B.A. in Finance & Banking.

 

In 1993 Fred relocated to Kitakyushu, Japan upon being accepted into the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) as an assistant English teacher. As a martial arts enthusiast, Fred resumed the martial arts training he began years prior at Alkebu-lan Village Martial Arts in Detroit and attained a third degree black belt in Aikido.

 

In 1996, after completing his teaching commitment, Fred returned to Detroit, Michigan. He accepted a job at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, further utilizing his Japanese language skill as an interpreter. During this time, Fred's attention was caught by a certain flight attendant. After he approached her and discerned that she was scheduled to depart, Fred asked her to, "Have dinner with me and catch a different flight". Her reply was, "Who are you?". Fred, ever confident, replied, "I'm Fred". The rest is history, as the flight attendant was Margo. She later became his bride and in March 2021  they celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary.

 

Fred had a big personality and approached life with exuberance and great expectation. Music remained a passion and he frequently joined close friends, several from college, to play his trumpet in jam sessions.

 

Eventually, he relocated to Washington, D.C. where he worked in the banking industry. Later, Fred migrated to the U.S. federal government FEMA division utilizing his expertise in financial contracts while obtaining a M.A. in Business Administration from Bowie State University. His latest position was with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. In his private life, for the past three years, he served as treasurer on the board of Mt. Lebanon Community Development Corporation (CDC). The Mt. Lebanon CDC mission is affordable housing, workforce development, training, and wellness within the community. Fred was instrumental in keeping the non-profit compliant with local government agencies. 

 

On Sunday, February 6, 2022, the Lord called Fred and he slipped away.

 

Fred loved hard and unconditionally. He will be remembered as a thoughtful, dedicated family man. He really enjoyed gathering with family and friends.  Fred never met a stranger. His gregarious personality allured friends and acquaintances. Fred was smart, quick-witted and delightful to be around. A light in the world is a little dimmer, now. Ever kind and caring, he was immensely loved and WILL be missed. 

 

Fred's brother and sister, Dwight A. Little, Sr. and Yvette F. Little, preceded him in death. His cherished memory remains with his devoted wife, Margo K. Little; stepmother, Deborah K. Little; sister, Floride R. Little; nephew, Dwight A. Little, Jr. (Sonja); niece, Crystal D. Chase (Keith); great-niece, Zahria B. Little; great-nephew, Antoinne Little (Sabrina); great-niece, Kennedy K. Little; great-niece, Morgan D. Chase; great-nephew, Xavier A. Chase; great-niece, Adalyn Y. Chase; mother-in-law, Belinda Kinlaw; brother-in-law, Zachary Kinlaw (Katonya); niece, Zariah Kinlaw; nephew, Zavein Kinlaw; sister-in-law, Brandy Kinlaw; honorary parents, Russell and Cora Baker, and a host of relatives and friends. Fred's canine companion, Marley, a Bichon/Poodle mix (Poochon), will certainly miss his papa's daily presence. 

 

The family of Frederick T. Little, Jr. wishes to acknowledge with deep appreciation the many comforting messages, cards, letters, visits, floral tributes, prayers and other expressions of kindness evidenced in thought and deed. A more personal acknowledgement will be made at a later date.