John Reid "Jack" Jolley, devoted husband, father and grandfather, avid golfer and long-time law enforcement officer, died March 7, 2016, at Perry Point Veterans Administration Medical Center in Perryville, Maryland, at age 76. He was born in Oil City, Pennsylvania, to the late Richard L. Jolley and Marcella (Reid) Jolley on September 7, 1939. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothea "Donna" (Meade) Jolley of Aberdeen, Maryland; son David W. Jolley of Havre de Grace, Maryland; daughters Karen L. Jolley of Bel Air, Maryland, and her fiancé, Greg Nikol, and Christine A. Jolley of Port Deposit, Maryland, and her companion, Teddy Cadd; grandchildren, Jonathan D. Drewen and Christopher R. Drewen, both of Bel Air, and Samantha A. Jolley of Havre de Grace; and his sister, Judith A. Jolley of Aberdeen.
He attended grades 1-12 at St. Joseph's School in Oil City, graduating in 1957. He earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology from Gannon University in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1961, and was a member of the Army ROTC program and Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army and served proudly and honorably for 20 years in the Military Police Corps, serving in many assignments including Vietnam, and earning many commendations and awards to include the Parachutist Badge, National Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Soldiers Medal, Army Commendation Medal and Bronze Star. He earned his Master's Degree in Criminology from Kansas State University.
He retired in 1981 after serving as Aberdeen Proving Ground's Provost Marshal, and worked for Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, the City of Aberdeen as Chief of Police, Baltimore County Corrections, and Anne Arundel Community College, where he continued a decades-long love of teaching at various colleges and universities near his military assignments. Jack was a member of the American Legion, a former member of the Aberdeen Lions Club and a member of The Retired Military Police Organization. He was an avid fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Beach Boys, and loved John Wayne movies. His many friends and family, including his brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, cousins, and golf buddies, will remember him as someone who always had a good story or joke to tell. If he was here, he would say: "If you're reading this, I'm playing golf in heaven." He treasured the many friendships he made over the years.
A viewing will be held on Thursday, March 10, 2016, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, at Zellman Funeral Home, P.A., 123 South Washington Street, Havre de Grace, MD. A Mass of Resurrection will be held on Friday, March 11, 2016, at 10:30 AM, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 615 Congress Avenue, Havre de Grace, MD. Father Dale Picarella will officiate. Contributions may be made in his memory to Alzheimer's Association, P. O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011, or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made at www.zellmanfuneralhome.com.