Herbert Lindsay Little, III

Herbert Lindsay Little, III

August 10, 1967-July 11, 2025

Herbert Lindsay Little, III passed away of natural causes on July 11, 2025, in San Diego, California.

“Linny” was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina on August 10, 1967, the son of Herbert Lindsay Little, Jr. and Frances Virginia Balling Little. He was educated in Spartanburg District 7 Schools and graduated from Spartanburg High School in 1985. Linny received a BA in history from Wake Forest University, where he was a member of Sigma Chi and President of the University’s Inter-fraternity Council, in 1989.

For over three decades Linny worked in the sports facilities management industry, buying, managing, and merchandizing for a number of professional teams, first for Canteen Corporation, and later for Aramark, Levy Restaurants, Compass, and Delaware North. After stints with the Durham Bulls, the Los Angeles Dodgers, the San Antonio Spurs, the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, he spent the majority of his career at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, and for a time also managed the merchandise operations for the Chicago Bulls and the Chicago Blackhawks at the United Center.

In Chicago, Linny helped build the Cubs, Blackhawks, and Bulls into some of the most popular brands in major league sports. When, in 2016, the Cubs won their first World Series in 98 years, Linny received a World Series ring with the team and went on to oversee the Cubs’ explosion in merchandise popularity. He opened the Cubs Team Store on Michigan Avenue and the 1914 Club at Wrigley Field. He played a major role in the monumental renovation of Wrigley Field from 2014 to 2020.

Linny left Chicago in 2023 to manage retail operations at Petco Park for Delaware North and the San Diego Padres. He suffered a heart attack during a game at Petco on July 10, 2025, doing the job at which he excelled.

Linny was beloved by his employees and colleagues in the industry and was widely regarded as preeminent in his field. He was a frequent speaker on sports merchandizing at conferences and shows around the country.

Despite many friends in cities around the country, Linny remained devoted to his South Carolina family, especially his niece and nephews, by whom he was beloved. Linny maintained a strong connection with his lifelong Spartanburg friends, keeping in touch with them almost daily.

Linny was kind, gentle, and cheerful; always good company, and his dry wit was appreciated by all who knew him. He was a keen and knowledgeable sportsman, an avid lifelong Los Angeles Dodgers fan, lover of music, and was an aficionado and collector of classic American automobiles, particularly Ford Thunderbirds and Mustangs. Linny will be remembered by all who dearly loved him for his generosity, sense of humor, and genuine good nature.

He is survived by his parents, as well as a sister, Belle Little Zeigler (Ben) of Florence; two brothers, Jim Little (Karen) of Spartanburg, Andrew Little (Allison) of Spartanburg; four nephews, Gene Zeigler of Columbia and James, Miles, and Hugh Little of Spartanburg; and a niece, Perrin Little of Spartanburg.

Funeral services will be held at The Episcopal Church of the Advent in Spartanburg, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM. The burial will be private. The family will receive friends at the church’s Parish and Community Life Center following the service.

Memorials may be made to The Advent Foundation, The Episcopal Church of the Advent, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; Kids Clubs Upstate-Pine Street School Club, P.O. Box 2794, Spartanburg, SC 29304; Wake Forest University, 1834 Wake Forest Road, Box 7227, Winston-Salem, NC 27109; or the charity of one’s choice.

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