Kenneth Little

Kenneth Zack Little, 89, left his home on Earth and entered his heavenly home peacefully on February 4, 2022. He was surrounded by family & loved ones. Kenneth was born on November 28, 1932, to Alvis & Johnnie Lee Little. He went to elementary school in Odessa and junior high and high school in Mt. Vernon, Texas, where he was a star basketball player.

After high school, Kenneth enlisted in the Army to serve his country in the Korean War, but the war ended before he was sent to serve so he returned to Odessa where he met the love of his life, Brenda Firebaugh, when he was 22 years old. They married on June 30, 1956.  Kenneth & Brenda shared their love and interests with 3 children for 36 years before Brenda’s death.  They loved fishing, traveling, and most of all, Metal Detecting.  They also owned a coin-operated laundry on 52nd Street in Odessa for 25 years.  Later, their hobby of Metal Detecting evolved into a business where Kenneth & Brenda ran a wholesale business with a 12-state distributorship called Fireball Electronics. Fireball was located on 8th Street in Odessa, and later they moved it to Old Town Shopping Center on JBS Parkway.  After retiring from Fireball Electronics, he continued enjoying his love of Metal Detecting almost daily until a short time before passing away.  Many summers were spent traveling while calling on dealers and visiting family in Kansas & East Texas.  As they traveled, they also loved Metal Detecting on Civil War Battlegrounds, public parks, and school playgrounds.  Kenneth loved telling stories about what he found and showing his treasures to others.  He was a member of the Odessa Prospector’s Club, The Permian Basin Prowler’s Club, and an Honorary Deputy Sheriff. Along with his many interests, Kenneth loved rooting for his favorite sports teams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the San Antonio Spurs.

Kenneth was a strong believer in our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ.  Throughout the years, he was a member of Highland United Methodist Church, St. Luke’s United Methodist, Asbury United Methodist, and mostly recently Spirit and Truth Church.  He loved watching preaching on television each morning, attended Sunday School and Church services with his family, and loved talking about scripture and the Bible. He knew and loved God and his son Jesus. Kenneth showed his family and friends, daily, his love for us. We are better because of his teachings and examples of his love and kindness.

Kenneth is preceded in death by his wife, Brenda; his parents; brother, Billy; and sister, Louise.  He is survived by his spouse, Jeanne; daughters, Debbie Keene (Doug); Denise Elfert (Mike); son, Keith (Cherryna). Grandchildren, Wes Sheets (Patty Jo), Kasie DelMedico, Brent Sheets (Stacey), Amanda Sheets Blaschke (Mike), Jessica Wagner, and Tyler Little. He is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, Kenneth’s wishes were that you would please donate to:

Spirit and Truth Church
4060 Faudree Rd., Suite 104A, Box 118
Odessa, TX 79765

Online Contributions can be made at:   spiritandtruthodessa.org