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Donald Lee Jolly

Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 9:25 AM

By Brittany Gasama

Donald Lee Jolly, age 94, passed away on December 3, 2025.

Donald Lee Jolly was born September 6, 1931 in Beardstown, Illinois. 

Don served in the United States Air Force from 1952 to 1980.  He flew multiple missions in Vietnam between 1965 and 1969 and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross along with many other decorations, medals and awards.  In 1980, Don retired as a Colonel at McConnell AFB in Kansas.

On January 1, 2011, Don married his loving wife Patricia in Siloam Springs, AR. Don and Pat moved to Branson from Alma, AR. 

Don was a faithful member of Branson United Methodist Church where he joyfully served as a greeter.  He was also an instrumental board member with College of the Ozarks Associates.

Don passed on to his heavenly home on Wednesday, December 3, 2025 at the age of 94.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl & Nellie (McComas) Jolly; and his first wife, Edith Jolly; granddaughter Mary Elizabeth Rowlan; grandson-in law Ryan Viser.

He will be deeply missed by his wife, Pat Jolly of Branson; daughters, Sandra Kalnasy (Ernie) of Benton, LA; Laura Rowlan (Randy) of Burlington, KS, and Cynthia Yungclas (David) of Wichita, KS; sister, Carnell Korsmeyer of Beardstown, IL; sister-in-law, Roma Wharton of Mt. Juliet, TN; stepchildren John Wessel (Kevin Ballard) of Morris, IL, Michele Tarnow (Leonard) of Valparaiso, IN., Sue Wessel (Eric Hanson) of Sparta, MI.; twelve grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services for Don will be Monday, December 8, 2025 at Branson United Methodist Church.  Visitation will begin at 10:00 am with funeral services to follow at 11:00 am.  Burial will be Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 1:00 pm in Ft. Smith National Cemetery, Ft. Smith, AR with full military honors.

In Don’s memory, memorials may be made to Wreaths Across America, wreathacrossamerica.org; Branson United Methodist Church, 1208 W. 76 Country Blvd., Branson, MO 65616 or Cox Health at Home & Hospice, 2240 W. Sunset, Springfield, MO 65807.

Services are in the care of Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson. 

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