Steven John Jolley of Homedale, Idaho left this world to be with Jesus on April 19, 2023 at the Willow Hospice in the VA Medical Center in Boise after suffering with Dementia for several years. His wife Sue was by his side as she had been for over 52 years.
Steve was born July 13, 1948 to John and Lorraine Jolley in Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Granite High School there in 1966 and went on to join the Marine Corps where he serve honorably from 1967 to 1970. This included a time in Vietnam from ‘67 to ‘68 where, as the radio operator, his platoon leader said he was a “superb Marine” who was loyal and protective.
Before he left for Vietnam, he married Sheryl Ivie. When he returned, they had two children, Steven (now Meziah), and Lisa. They later were divorced.
In October 1970, while living in Boise with his dad, he was cruising Main St. in Boise with a friend. They saw a girl hitchhiking who the friend knew, so they picked her up to give her a ride. That girl was Helen Sue Anderson. They were instantly attracted to each other to the extent that he actually proposed to her a few hours later. They were married in March 1971. A few months later they moved back to his hometown of Salt Lake. After the birth of their son Cary (CJ), they moved to Preston, Idaho for a couple of years to care for Sue’s dad, Murray, who had advanced Multiple Sclerosis. After that, they moved back to Salt Lake, where they had two more kids, Devin and Amber. Steve was always a good provider and always worked hard for his family. In 1981, they decided to move back to Boise to be near Sue’s family.
Steve was a mechanic for many years in both Salt Lake and Boise, on both cars and diesel trucks. He had a great passion for classic cars, so the occupation was perfect for him.
He also had a passion for playing drums and, for a time, was part of a Christian Rock band along with his wife.
They lived in Boise until 2005, when they moved to Homedale to be near their church which was in Marsing. He was ordained as a pastor at Vision Community Church a few years later by his dear friend and head pastor, Benje Graves, where he was also a drummer for the worship team, which gave him a great deal of joy. He always said playing the drums was his way to worship the Lord.
He later became the benevolence pastor at Vision and headed the breadline there for 7 years until 2015. It gave him great deal of satisfaction to help those in need. Also, while he was an ordained pastor, he had the pleasure of officiating over the marriages of friends and family, which he was always honored to do.
Steve and Sue made their home in the Snake River RV Resort in Homedale, where he always tried to be of service to the other residents that lived there. Whether it was mowing the neighbors’ lawns, or raking their leaves, or shoveling their snow, whatever was needed, he believed that serving others was another way to serve God.
He was officially diagnosed with dementia in 2019, but those close to him began noticing changes a few years before. Because of her love for him, Sue was determined to care for him as long as she was able to and did so until 2 weeks before his death. She always said she didn’t really realize there was another choice. Their vows said for better or worse, in sickness and in health. Unfortunately sickness and worse came at the same time.
Steve is survived by his wife Sue, son Meziah Jolley currently of Ukraine, daughter Lisa Williams of San Diego, CA, son CJ Jolley (Brianne) of Chubbuck, ID, son Devin Jolley(Angela)of Caldwell, ID, daughter Amber Gates (Benjamin) of Wiscasset, ME, Brother-in-law Burt Anderson (Tammy) and Sister-in-law Sherri Talford (David). He is also survived by 16 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by both of his parents, his father-in-law Murray Anderson, his mother-in-law Marlene Noe, his brother-in-law Marvin Anderson and several aunts and uncles.
Special thanks goes to the staff at Willow Hospice at the VA in Boise for the wonderful care, honor and respect given to Steve, his wife Sue, and his family and friends for the last days of his life.
Also, special thanks to his caregiver Dalina Chase, who showed great love and patience to him, and to all the people of Ancora Hospice. You were all a Godsend to him and Sue.
There will be a Celebration of Life for Steve at Vision Community Church, 221 W. Main St., Marsing, ID on Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 10:40 AM.
A military burial ceremony will be held at the Boise Veteran’s Cemetery on his birthday in July 2023 at 10:00 AM.
Steve will always be greatly missed by everyone who knew and loved him.