JOLLEY, John Raymond Francis

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John (Ray) Raymond Francis Jolley was born on May 29, 1930 in Kelowna the only child of Bill and Molly (Reid) Jolley. He often talked about his carefree childhood hitching rides on the KVR trains, shooting gophers and flying his model airplanes.  Ray’s father Bill joined the Canadian Scottish Regiment in 1939 and returned to Canada only once during WW II. One of Ray’s enduring memories was of his Dad walking right past him without recognizing him when he and his Mom went to welcome him home after the war at the Sicamous train station. Ray had a keen interest in everything about the two World Wars. In addition to the campaigns and the battles, he often acknowledged the contribution of those left at home, especially the mothers who were the single parents for many years while fathers were away at war.  Ray went to Kelowna High School (now KSS) and graduated in 1948. He was busy with Sea Cadets, the BCDS Militia and working in his spare time at Don Lone’s Hardware Store where he saved enough money at his 30 cent an hour job to follow his one driving passion; to learn to fly and get his pilot’s license. He took his first solo flight in a Cessna 140 after only 4.5 hours of air time with his instructor. On August 22, 1949 Ray and his pals Ted Wilson and Louis (Pudge) Marshall joined the Royal Canadian Air Force and set off for CFB St Hubert, Quebec for flight and officer training.  While in the Montreal area he met his future bride, Yvonne Peron from Grande Ligne, Quebec who was in nursing training at the time. They were married on January 18, 1952. Ray was posted to North Luffenham, 441 Fighter Squadron in England shortly after the wedding. Yvonne followed a few months later after she completed nursing training. They had their first two of seven children while in England, then moved back to Canada where Ray was stationed in CFB Downsview (Toronto) followed by Parent P.Q., CFB Comox, Otis AFB Cape Cod Massachusetts, Toronto Staff College, Ottawa, McCord AFB Tacoma Washington and the final posting as Commanding Officer at CFB Penhold in Alberta.  Ray, Yvonne and the 2 remaining kids retired to Kelowna in 1977, the first 5 kids had already dropped off along the way.  Ray often recounted how lucky he was to have turned his passion into a career and such an exciting life. He flew most of the Canadian Air force fighter jets including the F 86 Sabre, Avro CF 100 and CF101 Voodoo. In the course of his job he flew in a formation fly-past for Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, met Prince Philip, partied with King Hussein of Jordan, and shook hands with President Kennedy.  For 35 years Ray and Yvonne lived in a house beside Mission Creek in Kelowna. They had a big garden and lots of space to welcome visitors especially grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family and friends remember his generosity, big martinis, teasing and rewarding grandchildren, card and dice games (and occasional cheating), singing racey military songs, hat parties and star gazing.  Ray pursued his hobbies of model airplanes, metal detecting, beer making and historical research with passion and dedication. He was a bigger than life guy who will be missed greatly by his loving wife Yvonne, seven children Will (Lucy), Nettie (John), Bernie (Brian), Michele, Lucy (Ron), Ken (Laura), Graham (Lisa), 13 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and just about everyone he met.  Ray passed away peacefully in Kelowna General Hospital on August 27, 2014. A celebration of life for Ray will be held at a later date in Kelowna.  In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Ray’s name to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Salvation Army or the SPCA.  If you wish to send a condolence, post photos or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Share Your Condolences.”

Service Details

The service for JOLLEY, John Raymond Francis is scheduled for A celebration of life for Ray will be held at a later date in Kelowna.. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

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