James E. “Ed” Littlejohn, 94, of Benton, Kentucky, died on Saturday, March 26, 2016, at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Littlejohn was born in the Hematite community in Land Between the Lakes on April 10, 1921, and was the third of ten children born to Calvin Littlejohn and Mary Ann Lane Littlejohn. Mr. Littlejohn had four brothers: Ernie Littlejohn of Brooksville, Florida – (deceased), Frank Littlejohn of Benton, Kentucky- (deceased), Howard Littlejohn of Cadiz, Kentucky- (deceased) and Wallace Littlejohn of Benton, Kentucky- (deceased) and five sisters: Flora Downing
of Calvert City, Kentucky- (deceased), Mary Lou Nelson of Benton, Kentucky-(deceased), Syble Poindexter of Reidland, Kentucky- (deceased), Vada Gilbert of Benton, Kentucky and Peggy Belcaster of Chicago, Illinois.
Mr. Littlejohn worked with his family as a tenant farmer on the Hillman Land and Iron Company property which is now part of Land Between the Lakes. He was called to serve in the United States Army in the Fall of 1942. After completing basic training at Fort Belvoir Virginia, his service in the European Theatre took him from London to Berlin. While on convalescent leave during that time, Mr. Littlejohn met the love of his life, Mary Oakley of Golden Pond, Kentucky. Mr. Littlejohn’s service ended in Berlin with preparations for the Potsdam Conference. After being
Honorably Discharged, Mr. Littlejohn returned home to wed Mary Oakley on May 18, 1946.
After marriage, they briefly moved to Evansville, Indiana, where they worked. A short time later they returned to Golden Pond, Kentucky, to start a family. Mr. Littlejohn is survived by his three children: Sandra Hall of Huntsville, Alabama, Linda Littlejohn of Benton, Kentucky, and Harold Littlejohn (Patricia) of Benton, Kentucky. In 1960, the United States Government created the Land Between the Lakes which effectively displaced generations of families from that area. Mr. Littlejohn and family moved to Marshall County where he worked for National Carbide and
eventually Air Products from which he retired in 1985. He also purchased a farm in Marshall County, Kentucky. Mr. Littlejohn raised tobacco, row crops, and cattle. He stayed active on his farm until well into his 90s. While owning and operating his farm, Mr. Littlejohn was recognized three times as a Master Conservationist by the Marshall County Soil Conservation District. Upon moving to Marshall County in 1960, Mr. Littlejohn transferred his church membership from Golden Pond Baptist Church to Zion’s Cause Baptist Church where he served as a deacon for the past 39
years. He was also a member of the Hardin-Berkeley Masonic Lodge for the past 73 years.
Mr. Littlejohn carried on a lifelong love affair with hunting, fishing, and the outdoors. Mr. Littlejohn had a great affinity for passing on his love of the outdoors to his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and everyone else he
came into contact with. Mr. Littlejohn was a pioneer in Kentucky turkey hunting when the first legal season was created in 1960 by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife. He was one of only twelve successful hunters during the first legal turkey season in Land Between the Lakes. Mr. Littlejohn became a mentor to an untold number of aspiring turkey hunters over the years in Western Kentucky.
Mr. Littlejohn is survived by his wife of 69 years, Mary Littlejohn and three children, Sandra Hall, Linda Littlejohn, and Harold Littlejohn (Wife-Patricia). He is also survived by his grandchildren, Christina Littlejohn Parks (Husband-Gary), Ashley Haak and Jeremy Littlejohn (Wife-Robyn). He was preceded in death by one grandchild, Meredith Haak. His surviving great-grandchildren are Shelby Parks, Kendra Cannon, Emily Littlejohn, Stephen Parks, Bailey Cannon, and Andrew Littlejohn.
Visitation will be held at Zion’s Cause Baptist Church of Benton, Kentucky on Tuesday, March 29, 2016, from 3:00 PM to 9:00 PM with Masonic Rites being held at 7:00 PM. Visitation will continue Wednesday morning March 30, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. Funeral services will follow immediately at Zion’s Cause Baptist Church of Benton, Kentucky, followed by burial at Wilson’s cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Zion’s Cause Baptist Church building fund at 1532 U.S. Highway 68 West, Benton, KY, 42025.