Jolyon Rey Walker's Obituary
Jolyon Rey Walker
January 20, 1950 – June 29, 2025
Jolyon Rey Walker was born on January 20, 1950, in Nampa, Canyon County, Idaho, to Clive Stevenson Walker and Ardeth Hansen Walker. At the time of his birth, Joly’s mother was reading The Forsyte Saga, in which the hero was named Jolyon. That name was passed down through the generations in the novel, and so too it was given to him. His family affectionately nicknamed him “Joly” (spelled to match his full name), a name that stayed with him for life.
Growing up as the seventh of ten children – five boys and five girls – Joly was known for his curiosity, energy, and mischief. He spent his youth helping on the family farm, often ending the season with a trip to the doctor for a broken bone—except for one year, when the doctor had a broken finger instead. Joly and his brother John were inseparable, sharing both chores and spirited wrestling matches while changing irrigation tubes, always debating who had done more work the day before.
At Fruitland High School, Joly was a student leader, elected student body vice president and later president. He worked hard, taking on jobs with local farmers bucking hay, setting irrigation pipes, and driving tractors. After high school, he worked for Ore-Ida during the corn harvest.
Joly served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Brazil Central Mission, where he learned Portuguese and deepened his love for service. Shortly after returning home, he met Vickie Rae Farman at a New Year’s Eve dance. After just four dates, they both knew—they had found the one. They were married on May 13, 1972, in the Idaho Falls Temple.
One month later, on June 13, 1972, Joly enlisted in the United States Air Force, beginning a lifetime of service and adventure. The couple welcomed eight children: Alan Ray, Chelsa Dawn, Rachael Ann, Stefanie Lyn, Brooke Michelle, Justin Lee, Tricia Suzanne, and Erin Kathleen.
During his military career, Joly earned his degree through the ROTC program and returned to the Air Force as an officer, ultimately retiring as a Colonel on January 20, 2010—his 60th birthday. He and Vickie later served a recreation mission in Granite Falls, Washington, supporting youth camps and local congregations.
Together, Joly and Vickie lived in numerous states, as well as Guam and Sicily. They visited all 50 U.S. states and attended 72 LDS temples across the United States and Canada.
Joly had a deep love for craftsmanship and woodworking—a skill he learned as a young boy. Over the years, he remodeled homes, finished basements, and always left each place better than he found it. He created beautiful mission-style furniture, handcrafted wooden bowls, toys, and keepsakes for his children and grandchildren.
He was a devoted father and grandfather who loved camping and spending time in nature with his family, always eager to share practical skills and create lasting memories.
Joly is survived by his beloved wife, Vickie; their eight children; 22 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren, and a pet lion. He is also survived by his siblings: Clive, Aurelie, Linda (John), Sherrel, John (Kathy), Mary Lou (Chuck), and Todd (Crystal); and by his brother-in-law, John Condie. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clive and Ardeth; his brother Laird; his sister Kathleen; sister-in-law Vay; and brothers-in-law Larry Thueson and Dennis Higginson.
Joly will be remembered for his humor, dedication, creativity, love for his family and faith, and for being left-handed. His legacy lives on in the lives he touched, the homes he built, and the stories told by those who loved him most.
Joly and Vickie would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at the Huntsman Cancer Institute, including Dr. Joe Mendez and Heather Van Loon, NP; Dr. Arango and the team at Utah Cancer Specialists; and Mike, Robert, and the staff at CNS Hospice. Each of them provided compassionate, attentive care—and showed great patience with Joly’s endless jokes, which often took precedence over his medical treatment during visits.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday July 5, 2025 at the Nibley 5th Ward, 3701 South 450 West ~ Nibley, Utah with a viewing to begin at 9:00am. Interment at 3:00 pm at the West Point City ~ Cemetery, West Point, Utah.
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