Gerald Eugene Jolley, our beloved soldier, teacher, coach, principal, counselor, and family patriarch, passed through the veil into the arms of his eternal sweetheart, Virginia, on January 28, 2026. He is enjoying a wonderful reunion with family and friends. He was one hundred years young.

Gerald was born on May 29, 1925, in Russellville, Arkansas, to Albert Cameron Jolley and Ida Lucille Moore. He was blessed to have four brothers and two sisters to share a loving and wondrous childhood. They all preceded him in death.

Gerald met the girl of his dreams in Wichita, Kansas, while still in high school. Her name was Virginia Lee Smith. World War II came and duty called. Gerald enlisted in the US Army immediately following graduation from North High School. He left his sweetheart, hoping she would wait for him. He served his country for three years in the South Pacific until the end of the war.

He was very proud to man the 20 mm cannon aboard a specially designed landing craft that had been converted into a mini battleship. He established lifelong friendships with his WWII service companions and enjoyed many reunions through the years. He was the last surviving member of "The Dirty Dozen."

When Gerald returned home, Virginia had indeed waited for him. They were married on August 29, 1947, in Wichita. Five children were born to this union. They lived in three states, Kansas, California, and, finally, Idaho, for almost 60 years together before Virginia passed away in 2007.

Gerald then married Anne Rothacker and moved to Arizona for fourteen years until she also passed in 2021. He made many long-lasting friendships in Peoria, Arizona, and enjoyed keeping in touch with his friends there.

He relocated to Draper, Utah, to Ashford Assisted Living, to be closer to all his family in the intermountain West. It was there that he met his "Texas belle," Norma "Bobbie" Wiser. He married Norma on January 21, 2023, and they enjoyed three very happy years living together at Ashford Assisted Living Center. The many Hand and Foot games with family and friends were a highlight of each week as well as Bingo, Corn Hole, and other activities for residents.

Gerald graduated from Friends University, where he played on a championship football team, as well as also playing college baseball and basketball. He became a high school math teacher and coach for many years before receiving his Master of Education Degree from Fresno State University to become a high school administrator. He loved teaching and coaching, especially basketball.

His coaching career in public schools lasted an amazing 58 years. His last job in education was as a counselor at Tigert Middle School in Soda Springs, Idaho, well past retirement age. One of the joys of his life was keeping in contact with the thousands of students and players that he grew to love.

Gerald was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had many callings. He was Deacons Quorum Advisor into his 90's and especially enjoyed coaching church basketball. Going to the temple regularly was also one of the cherished activities of his life until his health and mobility made it impossible to go.

Gerald is survived by all five children: Charles (Jan) Jolley of Buena Vista, VA,; Carol (Ken) Heuseveldt of Idaho Falls, ID; Alan "Tim" (Davis Elliott) Jolley of Washington, DC; Rob (Deborah) Jolley of Draper, UT; and Mary (Scott) Gambles of Payson, UT.

He leaves behind a legacy of twenty-one grandchildren, fifty-two great grandchildren, and eight great, great grandchildren, with one more on the way.

Funeral services for Gerald will be held on Saturday, February 7, at 12:00 pm at the Hooper Chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Soda Springs, ID. A viewing will be held prior to the service from 10:30-11:30 am. He will be interred in the Fairview Cemetery in Soda Springs.

The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, any remembrance be sent to a school of their choice.