LAKE HAVASU CITY, Ariz. (July 17, 2015) — Ken Little, founder of the Lake Havasu Big O Tires store, died May 15 in Lake Havasu City at age 70.
Mr. Little was a longtime member of the tire industry and a member of the Big O team for more than 40 years. He got his start in the industry working at his father's retreading plant when he was 8 years old, learning the Big O Tires program as well. Mr. Little ended up purchasing the family store in Pomona, Calif., in 1976 and went on to own and co-own several Big O Tires operations in California in the late 1970s and 1980s.
According to the Havasu News website, he moved to Lake Havasu City from Claremont, Calif., in 1992 and founded the Lake Havasu Big O Tire store. In 2006, he was inducted into the Big O Tires Hall of Fame.
In addition to his experience with Big O, Mr. Little also served as franchisee chairman, advertising chairman and as a representative of the Franchise Advisory Council (FAC). He was named “Franchisee of the Year” in 1998 by The International Franchise Association.
He continued to play an active role at the Lake Havasu City store until his recent retirement. In addition, Mr. Little's grandchildren work at his son's tire store in Sandpoint, Idaho, keeping the family legacy as a fourth generation tire family alive.
In his free time, Mr. Little loved NASCAR, fishing, and visiting his two sons and their families in North Idaho.
He is survived by his wife, Sue Little; son, Todd (Shirley) Little from Rathdrum, Idaho; son, Jeff (Lori) Little from Sandpoint, Idaho; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers and cards, the Little family request that a donation be made in Mr. Little's honor to the family of Kasey Cesena, an employee who was recently severely injured. The family asks that contributors go to www.gofundme.com/u4cmz7w or send donations to Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Havasu, Ariz.
