Mildred Jess Little, known to everyone as “Mickey,” passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, at the age of 95.
Mickey was born on Oct. 7, 1929, in Schulenburg, and was raised on the family farm. Mickey was 2 years old when her father died, and her siblings, Skip and Hazel, helped their mother manage the farm’s chores. The foundation of her work ethic and the love of the outdoors began in this environment. She even earned her pilot’s license before learning to drive a car. Mickey earned three degrees from The University of Texas: Bachelor of Science (1951), Master of Education (1955) and Doctor of Education (1969) in physical education. In 1951, she began her teaching and coaching career at Georgetown High School in Georgetown, then moved to Luther Burbank High School in San Antonio, and finally to St. Stephen’s Episcopal High School in Austin. Once she completed her master’s degree, she then taught at Mary Hardin-Baylor College from 1955-1971 and became department chair in 1964. She served in this capacity for 7 years. In 1971, she joined the faculty at Texas A&M University where she reached new professional heights. Mickey served on numerous committees at the departmental, college and university levels and was very active in outdoor education at the state and national levels until her retirement in 1988.
Mickey has been described as an organizer, visionary and a true “trailblazer” in outdoor education. She brought state and national recognition to Texas A&M University by creating the Outdoor Education Institute in 1978, which served countless students, educators and recreation specialists. She worked numerous hours with the Texas Education Agency to include outdoor education in the physical education curriculum, which remains a component of the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills. Mickey authored and co-authored many articles and books and presented on topics ranging from sports and fitness to outdoor pursuits such as canoeing, hiking and camping. An avid photographer, her publications included many of her own photographs.
Her outdoor activities included paddling (canoe, kayak, raft) in 19 states, five rivers in Canada and Mexico, rafting the Grand Canyon three times, and canoeing 34 different rivers, streams and bayous in Texas. She rafted all the beautiful canyons in Big Bend National Park, sea kayaked in the California Baja and Glacier Bay in Alaska, went skydiving on her 80th birthday, and canoed the Minnesota and Canadian Boundary Waters. She backpacked in 17 different states including Chilkoot Trail, the Appalachian Trail and the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim twice. She summited Mt. Harvard and Mt. Oxford. Many of these trips were taken to hone her own skillset, or as she guided students from the Outdoor Education Institute. After she retired, she supervised the building of her home, a log cabin on 45 acres, in Johnson City, where she was eager to host family and friends. She loved Grin-Villa and dedicated many hours to the upkeep and improvement of her beautiful property on Flat Creek.
Mickey’s faith was an important part of her life. She was involved in many projects and programs at Johnson City Methodist Church, including leading Bible studies, teaching Sunday School and serving on the building campaign committee. She lived out her faith by attending many mission trips and by hosting various youth and scout retreats at her cabin.
Mickey will be dearly missed by her nieces, Susan (and John) Muzny, Linda (and Mark) Hardwick, and Nancy Bertolino; as well as numerous great-nieces and great-nephews and other extended family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Lester and Sallie Bass Little; brother, Alvin “Skip” Little; sister, Hazel Little Gebert; nephew, Roger Gebert; great-nephew, David Bertolino; and great-niece, Emily Black.
Funeral services were held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, at Schwenke-Baumgarten Funeral Home in Schulenburg. Interment followed in Schulenburg City Cemetery. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025, at Johnson City Methodist Church, 105 LBJ Drive, Johnson City. Memorial contributions may be made to the Mickey Little Endowed Scholarship at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 900 College Street, Belton, TX 76513, the Johnson City Methodist Church in Johnson City, or a charity of one’s choice.