B.L. Littleton, 86, passed away peacefully on August 17, 2017, at his home in Zwolle surrounded by his wife, Bea, daughter, Kim, and his beloved pup, Kretzie.
He was a homebuilder, real estate broker, restaurateur, rancher and pilot.
B.L. was preceded in death by his parents, John Henry and Fannie Yancy Littleton and his son, Barry Lynn Littleton.
He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Beatrice Littleton of Zwolle; her daughter, Kimberly Yvette Schoth of Zwolle; son, Bradley Gus Schoth and wife, Rachel; grandsons, Tyler and Mason Schoth, all of Bossier City; Ida Jean Simcox of Texarkana, Texas, the mother of his children: True Tawana Littleton-Grimes of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Bryan L. Littleton, Jr. and wife, Diane, of Huntsville, Texas, Tonja McAllen of Houston, Texas, Tammy Smith and husband, Jeff, of Hot Springs, South Dakota, and Brent Littleton and wife, Dorothy, of Independence, Kansas; along with their 15 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
B.L. was born November 5, 1930, in Ft. Worth, Texas. And raised in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he graduated from Roy Miller High School in 1948. He became a heavy-equipment Crane operator to help support his widowed mother.
Soon after B.L. married Ida Jean Napier in 1951, he earned a private pilot’s license. In time, he also got his multi-engine and instrument ratings while logging 10,000 flight hours over his lifetime. In 1958, B.L. transferred his family to Texarkana to expand his home building. In 1968, B.L. and former partner Joe Thomson purchased the first El Chico Restaurant franchise offered to the public, and built and opened their first El Chico in Texarkana, Arkansas a year later. The Mexican food business grew to 10 locales in five states.
Whenever B.L. needed to get away, his happy place then was with family in Yellowstone. There, he loved to fish at his favorite spot on a secluded rocky point. He would teach his children how to fish and catch the elusive Rainbow Trout that were pan-fried over an open fire three times a day. B.L.’s other happy places were the ranches in Texarkana and Nacogdoches, Texas, where he entertained and extended hospitality, and the quiet, laid-back lake home in Zwolle where he fished and relaxed with his pups by his side in his favorite recliner.
B.L. was best known as a rancher. His true passion was a love for cattle and horses. He even had a llama named “Tony.” He bred fine cattle like the “Brangus” where he raised several National Champions. As well, he raised AQHA Champion Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds. Often, B.L. invited one of his horses grazing in the pasture to visit in the living room awhile and drink fresh water from the kitchen sink. This deep love for horses inspired his words, “Never trust a man who does not like horses!”
B.L. retired as a Thoroughbred Race Horse trainer at the age of 75. He spent the rest of his days with Bea and his much-loved dogs at their home on Toledo Bend Lake. Their door was always opened to welcome any and everyone who visited, to include stray pets. For their guests, Bea usually prepared a hearty breakfast of Huevos Rancheros, tuna fish salad for lunch and dinners of charbroiled steaks, salmon and crawfish with all the trimmings.
Despite declining health over his last years, B.L.’s endurance, deep faith in God and a strong will not to give up were life lessons for all of us. We were so blessed to have him almost 87 years.
B.L. knew he was loved very much, and he had calm confidence that if he died, he would get to see all his loved ones and dear friends again. “I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous.” – Acts 24:15.
Memorial Service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 115 Byles Street, Many. Patrick Sacco will officiate. Visitation will be announced after the service.
The family of B.L. Littleton would like to express our deepest thanks to the Sabine Rehab Center and Superior Hospice of Many, for their thoughtful and caring help. As well as to all the family members and friends who lovingly and unselfishly offered precious time, continued support and constant prayers. It warmed our hearts.