Hayden Littlefield

Hayden was born in Ada, Oklahoma, on August 16, 1929 to Earl D. Littlefield and Onie May Hisaw Littlefield. Having been born into a farming family just before the Depression began, Hayden learned what it was like to grow up in a time of hunger, despair and uncertainty. As with many families of that era, Hayden became the “man” of the family while his father traveled from place to place earning money to send home. In time, the family moved to El Paso, Texas.As a young man, Hayden worked in various industries, always seeking an occupation he enjoyed. When the Korean War began, Hayden joined the Navy. After a year of service, while on leave to visit his family, Hayden met and later married Dorothy May Buie on August 19, 1952 in Las Cruses NM. They remained married until her death on December 21, 1999. Hayden and Dorothy went on to have three children Ronald (Ronnie), Judy, and Hayden Jr. As the family grew, Hayden discovered his love of the automotive industry. After years of working as a service manager, Hayden and Dorothy collaborated with their eldest son to open Littlefield Automotive, which Ronnie still operates today.Hayden was a people person. He loved to talk and rarely met a stranger. His favorite subjects were politics and the Dallas Cowboys. One thing was for certain – if the family was going out for a special occasion, they knew to never take him to an Italian food restaurant that didn’t serve chicken fried steak, and to never offer him chicken.Hayden was always quick to share his children's various interests. Whether it was the many equestrian competitions, family fishing trips, car appreciation or airplane flying, Hayden was always there. A longtime fan of auto racing, Hayden spent many of his Friday nights at “the races”. But his heart always went to his pets. Hayden never met a stray dog or cat that he didn’t want to adopt. He received a great deal of pleasure and joy from the many dogs he owned throughout his life and shared his love of dogs with his wife of 18 years Betty Jean Howard Littlefield. Hayden and Betty Jean married on May 15, 2000 in a small justice of the peace ceremony, with a follow-up service for family in July, 2000.Hayden is preceded in death by his father and mother, Earl D. Littlefield and Onie May Littlefield; his oldest sister Colleen Conner; younger brother Harmon Littlefield and his wife of 48 years Dorothy Mae Buie Littlefield.Hayden is survived by his wife Betty Jean; sister Linda Womble of Hobbs, NM; son Ronnie and wife Lou Deane of Midland, Texas; daughter Judy Ashley and husband Ron of Perrysburg, Ohio; son Hayden Jr. and wife Tina of Southlake, Texas; and step daughters Beverly Howard, Belinda and husband Matt Borland, and Kimberly Howard. Hayden is also survived by seven grandchildren, Casey (Callie) Littlefield of Midland, Texas; Toby Littlefield of Midland, Texas; Amanda (Justin) Porter of Rudolph, Ohio; Jeremy (Sarah) Ashley of Maumee, Ohio; Plear, Blake, and Matthew Littlefield of Southlake, Texas. He also had one great-grandson, Hoyt Littlefield, who loves nothing more than going to visit “the shop” whenever he has the chance. From his marriage to Betty Jean, Hayden also had 5 step grandchildren and 1 step great grandchild; numerous nieces and nephews also survive Hayden.Hayden was a member of West Kentucky Baptist Church and a supporter of Reverend Bob Porterfield. At the time of his death, Hayden was 89 years old. Most of his days were spent at “the shop” and even after he got sick, all he wanted to do was be at the shop with Ronnie and his dogs.Services are under the direction of the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral home, 3800 N. Big Spring Street in Midland, Texas. The family will receive visitors at a viewing on Thursday, November 29, 2018 from 6:00-8:00 in the evening. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday, November 30, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.; the service will be conducted by Reverend Bob Porterfield of West Kentucky Baptist Church. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park, with a military tribute.,