NORMAN M. LITTLE Obituary Norman M. Little, 89, Kansas City, Mo., passed away Wednesday, July 4, 2012, at NorthCare Hospice House. Norman was a history teacher, a WWII Veteran and very proud patriotic American, so it was fitting that he passed on July 4th. Funeral services will be 10 a.m. Saturday, July 7, at D.W. Newcomer's & Sons White Chapel Funeral Home. Burial in White Chapel Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the , NorthCare Hospice House or Northland Meals on Wheels. Norman was born Feb. 8, 1923, in Northeast Missouri and was a Technical Sergeant in the United States Army. He was in Company B, 61st Signal Battalion. Norman was proud to say that he "enlisted" and served for three years during World War II, November 1942 until November 1945. He was stationed in England, France, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg. The awards Norman received in the Army were the Good Conduct Ribbon, the American Theatre Ribbon, Two Battle Stars, and a WWII Victory Ribbon. Norman was very proud of his grandson, SSG Blake Sachs, who has been serving in the United States Army for over eight years. Blake was first stationed at Strussburg in Idar- Oberstein, Germany. It was the same base Norman was stationed at in Germany during World War II. He met his wife, Helen, in England during the war. She came to the United States and married Norman when the war was over. They were married for 53 years before her passing. Norman began his teaching career in 1941 in a one- room schoolhouse in Clark County, Mo. He was 18 years old and had already completed two years of college. In his first teaching contract he was required to have a fire built in the schoolhouse by 8 a.m. WWII interrupted his teaching career. After the war, he returned to school where he earned his degree in teaching at Northeast Missouri State Teacher's College in Kirksville. After teaching in Union, Mo., he began teaching at North Kansas City Senior High School in 1950. For the next 32 years, Mr. Little taught world history and geography. He taught in the main building for seven years and 25 years in the Dagg building. Having teachers in his family is one of the reasons he was interested in the profession. His great- grandfather was a teacher, as were a great-uncle and an aunt. His oldest daughter, Norma Jean Carr, and his first granddaughter, Lindy Bulsterbaum, followed in his footsteps. He felt teaching was an "honorable profession" and always said, "I love my job." Norman loved to play his guitar and sing. He sang country music and cowboy classics. His hobbies included fishing, playing chess, walking, and riding his ten-speed bike. He also enjoyed spending a great deal of time with his family and became known as "Papa" to his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Norman enjoyed living the last four years of his life at The Gardens at Barry Road. Even though he had Alzheimer's, he was known and loved by the staff as a very happy and fun resident. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen, and his daughter, Norma Jean Carr of San Antonio, Texas. Survivors include daughter, Margaret Ann Sachs and her husband, Gary Sachs, Kansas City, son-in-law, Mike Carr, San Antonio, 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwwhitechapel.com. Arrangements by D.W. Newcomer's Sons White Chapel Funeral Home, 6600 N. Antioch Rd., Gladstone, MO 64119 (816) 452-8419. D Published in Kansas City Star on July 6, 2012