Jim Littlewood - 'a willing helper'

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 567, 20 December 1994, Page 13

Jim Littlewood - 'a willing helper'

James Harold Littlewood was born on 5 September 1919 in the Littlewood family home on the Parapara Road just south of Raetihi, the youngest of seven. His father, a farmer, was active on the political scene both locally and with an interest in national politics. Jim' s mother died when he was eight years of age. Jim walked the mile and a half daily to Raetihi School from the farm at the beginning of his schooling days, finishing his formal education at the Ruatiti school after the family moved to a Ruatiti farm. His first job was with the MacGregor family on the Oruakukura Road farm. From 1939 onward Jim worked for his father on the Parapara, then age 20, then on to Ruatiti in 1945. His father died as the result of an accident in 1949. Jim and Gretchen were married in February 1950 in St Mary's. Over the years their immediate family grew by three: Angela, Prue and Debbie. For a time the family lived on the Ohura Road outside Raetihi to enable the girls to attend Raetihi School. They then retumed to Ruatiti, partly to boost the numbers at Orautoha School. The 2000-acre mixed farm there was farmed by Jim continuously from 1970 until 1994, though in the 80' s the greater part had been sold. Jim and Gretchen relinquished the homestead in 1994 (February) when they moved to Taupo.

There are many stories told of Jim' s wit and not to be left out "pranks". He was known far and wide, and when the bridge over the Manganui a Te Ao was officially open some years ago, Jim was acknowledged as the mayor of Ruatiti. Many will recall the warmth and hospitality of the dances held at the Littlewood woolshed, one of which, the Lighting up party (to celebrate the coming of electricity to the valley), is fondly remembered by many. Jim was a member of the Raetihi Club and served as its president. He organised that club's library. As an avid reader, before books were purchased he would read each one to determine its suitability. Latterly Jim was a member of the Cosmopolitan Club and always showed an interest in the Raetihi Show. No matter what the cause, he was always a willing helper. Jim' s knowledge of the world around him came not only from his reading but his awareness of people and general observation. Jim and Gretchen' s warmth as hosts will be long remembered. They opened their home for religious service almost monthly, and quite often there were more parishioners there than in the two town churches. Jim is survived by his wife Gretchen, their daughters Angela, Prue and Debbie, son-in-law Bill Drew and grandchildren James, Ashley, Matthew, Katie and Lyndsey. Rev Bob Peck's contribution of this obituary is acknowledged.