James A Jolly Jr.

James A. Jolly, Jr. age 84 passed away on January 31, 2021. James was born on December 9, 1936 in Akron, Ohio. He retired from the Army in August of 1984.

He was the only military person to go on over six hundred spy missions behind the Iron Curtain. James was appointed by Major General Kingston to Chief of Transportation Division U.S. Central Command, 1982. Responsible for Middle East, Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Israel, and McDill AFB, Florida.

He graduated from Army Intelligence School (Berlin); Army General School; and Army Transportation School.

He was assigned to ASA, DIA; 525th MI Gp State Dept. Flag Patrols; collecting information about the activities and resources of an enemy; and over six hundred spy missions into the Soviet Sectors of the East Block.

After retiring from the Army, he also received degrees in Law Enforcement; Professional Investigations; Early Childhood Education; and in Child Psychology. He also worked for JFK Special Warfare School, Ft. Bragg, North Carolina.

He is a life member of the DAV, MOPH, Society of the Third Infantry Division- OP 57, and the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor.

Reading about History, the Bible and biographies was something James enjoyed. He enjoyed his children and was very proud of them. Son Jimmy who is an A student and also plays the piano and clarinet, acting parts in school plays, a member of the OMEA Hs Honors Band and choir. Robin who plays soccer and likes to go shopping with dad, and Alondra and Christopher also.

Additionally, James liked traveling with is family (11 countries). He also coached Little League Baseball and managed a team in the Hot Stove league (baseball, Akron).

James will be deeply missed by his wife, Angelica; children, James III, Alondra, Robin and Christopher; sister, Sandra Jolly; sister-in-law, Lillian Jolly; Aunt, Lavonne Harris and cousins, Linda Jolly Slota and Debbie (Fred) Stanger; relatives in Central America and New Jersey, as well as friends from around the world.

In the 1940's and 50's every Sunday after church the Jolly family went to Belgrade Gardens in Barberton for chicken dinners at only $1.50 for a three piece dinner and soda pop.

At age ten while eating, James Jr. experienced chest pains that later turned out to be a heart issue. Instead of four heart beats he only had three. The mitral valve was not working right. Doctors told his parents James may not live to be twenty one.

Grandmother Mable London Jolly was a Christian woman whose sister, Inze London was an evangelist and friend of Catherine Coleman evangelist from Virginia who did radio programs in the 1940's. She prayed for James over the radio while he put his hand on the radio. James went to tent revivals with his grandmother who later helped start Bible studies in the home.

When James was drafted into the Army, doctors told his parents lots of people have a heart murmur but otherwise he was good to go into the Army. In 1972 he had an examination at Walter Reed Hospital and was told your heart pains are growing pains. Your heart is that of a person about ten year younger than your body. A follow up examination at Bethesda Naval Hospital revealed the fourth heartbeat was upside down on the graph.

James prayed much daily and knows that God does answer prayers.

Private family services will be held. James will be laid to rest at Ohio Western Reserve National cemetery. With full military honors. 

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