News Summary
Maurice Dale Little, a notable parasitologist and Army veteran, passed away at 97. His impactful work and military service greatly influenced scientific research and inspired many. Little’s legacy continues through his expansive career, dedicated research, and love for nature.
Birmingham, AL – Maurice Dale Little, Esteemed Parasitologist and Veteran, Passes Away at 97
Maurice Dale Little, a distinguished parasitologist and Army veteran, died on June 26, 2025, at the age of 97. His remarkable career in both scientific research and military service has left an indelible mark on the fields he touched and the people he inspired.
Early Life and Education
Born on April 13, 1928, in North Grove, Miami County, Indiana, Maurice was the son of Maridieth and Mary Ellen Gardner Little. He received his early education in LaFontaine and Hope, Indiana, graduating from high school in Hope. He pursued higher education at Purdue University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1950.
Military Service
Shortly after graduation, Little joined the Army in September 1950, where he served actively until October 1953. He completed Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. His military tenure included a station in Landstuhl, Germany, where he was attached to the 569th Blood Bank. After leaving active service, he continued to serve in the Army Reserves until 1963, attaining the rank of Captain.
Academic and Research Career
After his military service, Little began working at the Microbiology Laboratory of the Indiana State Board of Health, a position he held until 1956. He then attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he advanced his education with a master’s degree in 1958 and a Ph.D. in Parasitology in 1961. Little dedicated over three decades of his career to Tulane University’s School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, retiring as Professor Emeritus in 1998.
During his tenure at Tulane, he contributed significantly to the field through extensive research focused on tropical parasitic diseases, including a two-year assignment at Tulane’s International Center for Medical Research and Training in Cali, Colombia, from 1965 to 1967. His international research also took him to Egypt and Iran, where he studied various aspects of parasitology. Little was a respected member of the American Society of Parasitologists and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, contributing to publications and serving in leadership roles within those organizations.
Personal Life
On November 19, 1955, Maurice married Marcella Ann West in Indianapolis, Indiana. The couple relocated to New Orleans in 1956, where they built a life together and raised their family. They remained in New Orleans until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina prompted their move to Birmingham, Alabama, to be closer to their daughter, Linda.
The Littles had three children: Julie, who is married to James Brooks Graham III of New Orleans; Randall, who resides in Laval, Quebec, Canada; and Linda, who is married to Samuel Kindervater of Birmingham, Alabama. Maurice is also survived by three grandchildren: Hannah Merideth Kindervater, Eva Maia Novac-Little, and Clarisse Lilyrose Novac-Little.
Legacy
Little was preceded in death by his wife, Marcella, his daughter Linda, and sisters Jacquelyn Little Lord and Virginia Little Shugart. He was remembered not only for his achievements in science and military service but also for his passions outside of work. An enthusiastic golfer, long-time square dancer, and nature lover, he connected with many through a shared appreciation for the outdoors.
He was actively involved with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Birmingham as well as the Community Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans. Maurice Dale Little is remembered as a person of profound compassion, resilience, and quiet grace, whose generous spirit touched the lives of all who knew him.
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Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Maurice Little
- Wikipedia: Maurice Little
- New York Times: Paul Maurice
- Google Search: Paul Maurice
- IndyStar: Maurice Magee
- Google News: Maurice Magee
- Legacy.com: Maurice Gooch
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Maurice Gooch
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