John Walker

Born July 19, 1914, in Sioux City, Iowa, the son of John B. and Helene P. Walker. He moved to Topeka in the Spring of 1916. He attended grade school at Bethany College and Polk School and graduated from Topeka High School in 1930.

Jolly graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1936 with an A.B. degree and a major in English Literature. Was graduated Summa Cum Laude, and received his degree "With Highest Distinction" in his major subject. In college, he was Managing Editor of "The Jack-0-Lantern", college humor magazine, and was Editor of "The Dart", college literary magazine.

Jolly married Helen Jeanette Burt on March 11, 1941.

He served in the United States Naval Reserve from June 1942 to October 1945 and was released from the service as a Lieutenant Commander in Air Combat Intelligence. Was assigned to Admiral A. B. Kirk's staff for months prior to the invasion of Europe, and served as a liaison officer between his staff and the headquarters of the Joint Tactical Air Forces in England.

Much of his business career was with the Pelletier Stores Company where he worked from his graduation from college until he sold his interest in the corporation in the fall of 1986. He served as president of Pelletier 's from 1958 until 1986. With his son, Christopher, owned and managed the Mills Building for many years.

Jolly was appointed by Governor William H. Avery to the original Capitol Area Plaza Authority and served continuously on the Authority until 1986. He was a member of the Authority during the construction of the Hall of Justice.

He had been an employee of the Kansas Lottery, serving as Game Design/Research and Development Officer, and for some time as Director of Sales and Marketing from mid-1988 to 2011.

Jolly's memberships have included: National Honor Society, Phi Beta Kappa, Dragon (Dartmouth Honorary Senior Society), Topeka Country Club, Psi Upsilon social fraternity, Mensa, Topeka Chamber of Commerce, First Presbyterian Church, National Association of Clock and Watch Collectors, Helianthus, Shawnee Yacht Club, Okoboji Yacht Club, National C-Scow Association, Inland Lakes Yachting Association, North American Yacht Racing Union, and Amalgamated Jazz.

At the age of 101, John O. "Jolly" Walker passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2016 at his granddaughter's home in Denver, Colorado.

Jolly is survived by his sister, Marianne Beeson (Tulsa, OK), his son, John Christopher Walker (Wichita, KS), four grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen Jeanette Walker, his siblings, Jeanette Martin and George A. Walker, and his daughter, Emily Walker Carlile.

A Memorial Service will be held for Jolly on Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka, Kansas.