Donald Dean Tolly, 84, of Sun City, AZ, passed away unexpectedly on August 26, 2021. He was born September 7, 1936, to Willis and Doris Tolly in Peoria, Illinois.

After graduating from Princeville Community High School in 1956, he went on to study Biology at Eureka College. Don participated in Greek life as a member of Lambda Chi Alpha and graduated in 1960.

In the spring of 1958, Don began his dedicated service to the United States Air Force serving over 20 years in Washington D.C., Okinawa, California, Pennsylvania, and Guam. While in the Air Force he was a member of the Air Police, followed by Combat Arms Training & Maintenance (CATM), and served as a recruiter during the Vietnam War. In the latter part of his career, he returned to CATM where he was an expert marksman and coached the USAF rifle team before his retirement in 1978.

In 1956, Don met the love of his life, Carolyn, and they wed in March of 1958 going on to have four children, ten grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Following his USAF retirement, Don headed to Kissimmee, FL and went on to work for Jimmy Young’s Trucking, Excelo, Martin Marietta, and the Marriot hotels. After “retiring” for the third time, Don and Carolyn went on the road in their 5th wheel camper, living in it full time and traveling all over the United States, which included a three-month trip to Alaska. Don also became a Master Mason with the Coachella Masonic Lodge #476.

Don loved his children and all his grands and great-grands. He coached and umpired baseball. Attended every game/play & event of his kids and grands that he could. He loved the casinos, playing Texas Hold-em and saw every John Wayne movie made. Don was devoted to his family and he never met a stranger. He made everyone feel special and he loved with his whole heart. We know he was welcomed by Jesus with open arms and the words, “well done good and faithful servant.”

Don was preceded in death by his parents Willis and Doris Tolly, his siblings Charles & Sharon, and great-granddaughter Madison Gunderson. He is survived by his wife Carolyn, daughters Cynthia (Dan), Sherri (Emil), Donna (Mike) and his son Daniel (Masae), his grandchildren: Shawn, Jenny, Erin, Kalyn, Jimmie (Elizabeth), Ashley, Kristin (Andrew), Jacob, Patrick, and Jenelle and his great grandchildren: Maverick, Liz, Skylar, Kaylee, Sevina, James, Adalynn, Stevie, and Clay.

Don will be interred with military honors at 9:00 a.m. on Monday, September 6, 2021, at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona located at 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85024. The memorial service will immediately follow at the American Legion Post 107 located at 20001 N Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix, AZ 85024.

In lieu of flowers, we suggest donations to your local Veteran’s Charity, American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/donald-tolly/obituary/

Copy