Colonel Gene Jolly

Colonel Bobby G. Jolly, 81, of Hot Springs Village died on Tuesday January 29, 2013 peacefully at home. Bobby was born June 08, 1931 to the late Hugh and Doris (Terry) Jolly in Levy, Arkansas. Bobby was a retired Colonel in the Unites States Air Force having served in both the Korean conflict and the Vietnam War, serving our country for 30 years. During his time of service, Bobby exercised his passion for learning by first getting his Bachelors Degree in Mathematics, then his Masters Degree in Political Science. Prior to his retirement from the USAF, he commanded the ROTC program at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Upon his retirement, he went on to become a public school teacher and administrator, as well as a Rockwall county commissioner. Bobby was a proud member of the Military Officers Association, Sons of the Revolution, Veteran of Foreign Wars and the Disabled Veterans. Bobby was very active in his church where he was a member of Village Bible Church and on occasion taught Sunday school classes. Bobby is preceded in death by his parents; his first wife of 24 years, Marian Elizabeth Jolly, and two brothers: Hugh and Carroll Jolly. He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Jenet (Rathmell) Jolly; three children: Robert Carroll Jolly and wife, Tammy, of Crandall, Tx; Deborah Renee Barber of Dallas, Tx; and Paula Kay Jones and husband, Larry, of Austin, Tx; three step daughters: Debra Lynn Garries and husband, Brent, of Calgary, Canada; JoNell Mellody and husband, Jim, of Royse City, Tx; and Marinna Duncan and husband, Keith, of Artesia, NM; eight grand-children: Candon Leopold, Casey Camacho, Argen Duncan, Capt. Eric Duncan, Sherrol and Christopher Jolly, and Rachel and Matthew Barber; two great-grandchildren: Lily and Lane Leopold; two brothers: James Jolly and wife, Wanda, of Plano, Tx; and Bill Jolly and wife, Toni, of Montgomery, AL. Visitation will be held Monday February 04, 2013 from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m. with service immediately following at Village Bible Church, Dr. Mark Cain officiating. A graveside service and burial will take place at RestHaven Cemetery in Rockwall, TX on Tuesday, February 5, 2013 at 10 a.m. with full military honors, Pastor Levan Hubbard officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests all memorials go to Arkansas Sheriffs Youth Ranch P.O. 3694, Batesville, AR 72503-3964 or Cal Farley's Boys Ranch and Girls Town at P.O. Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174-0001 in Bobby's honor.

Colonel Gene Jolly

June 8, 1931 - January 29, 2013