Robert Lee Littleton, 91, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2026.
Bob, or Bobby as he was known to his oldest friends, was born February 8, 1935, in Georgetown, Delaware, to Leroy and Mildred (Johnson) Littleton.
Bob was happiest when he had a bass guitar in his left hand and an amplifier to his right. He had a successful musical career that spanned nearly 70 years. During that time, he played professionally with popular bands The Orbits and Bunkie Eye and the Inmates before later focusing on performing for the Lord with the Christian Troopers and the Gospel Gents.
He was often asked, and gladly obliged, to lend his well-known talent by playing for numerous local organizations, groups, churches and events. As a dedicated longtime member of St. Paul’s Church in Laurel, Delaware, Bob continued lifting the congregation through music until just weeks before his death.
Bob was also employed for 47 years by Arrow Safety Device Company in Georgetown, where he led the company’s sales department. During his career, he developed and fostered many professional and personal relationships within the industry that continued to contribute to the company’s success long after his retirement.
Retirement certainly did not slow him down. Combining his love of driving, socializing and helping people, Bob became the proprietor and only employee of Town Taxi. Long before Uber and Lyft, Town Taxi was Georgetown’s only taxi service.
He continued serving his community by beginning yet another career with CHEER in Georgetown, where he remained for almost 20 years, working until just a month before his death.
Bob is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 28 years, Jean; his daughters, Nicole (Littleton) Casey of Felton, Delaware, and Karen (Amato) Keen of Smyrna, Delaware; and Jean’s children, whom he thought of as his own, Eddie Cathell (Christina) of Seaford, Delaware, and Michael Cathell (Jodi) of Roxana, Delaware.
Bob was also a proud grandfather to Cole Davis, Bryn Walker (Alex), Morgan King, Tyler King (Tiara), Jordan Keen, Brooks Cathell (Shannon Green), Beth Blake (Bryan), Cody Cathell (Amaria Lewis), Haley McQuay (Luke), Jennifer Tyre and Sarah Tyre. He is also survived by 14 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Paul Littleton; his sister-in-law, Josephine Littleton; and his stepdaughter, Debbie Tyre.
Bob will be fondly remembered for many things, but perhaps none more than his ability to tell a story and his uniquely fine-tuned wit. A master of wordplay with a keen sense of humor, he effortlessly made those around him feel comfortable and at ease, with laughter almost inevitably following.
Visitation will be held Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Short Funeral Services, 609 E. Market Street in Georgetown. Funeral services will begin at 1 p.m., with burial immediately following at Union Cemetery on E. Adams Street in Georgetown.
