Gerald Rolly

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Rolly, 78, of Lacey, Washington, was welcomed by the good Lord on July 2, 2026, after complications due to a heroic cancer fight.

Jerry was born on July 14, 1947, in Spokane, Washington, to Chester Leroy and Geraldine Rose (Selco) Rolly. He grew up with two brothers, Larry and Dennis, and attended Moses Lake High School and North Thurston High School. Early in his career he owned several restaurants, including Sir Walter's Tavern in Tumwater. He also worked in construction, building housing developments and the Clackamas Town Center in Portland, Oregon. Jerry retired in 2010 from the City of Olympia Parks Department, in a career that included building city playgrounds, park shelters and meticulously maintaining park land in beautiful South Puget Sound (with A-team buddies, Charlie and Tom). 

Many people marveled at his wood carvings and other artistic projects (including painting cartoon characters on his grandchildren’s bedroom walls), but he kept it as a humble hobby. Jerry was also a notorious kidder, coming up with nicknames for everyone he knew, telling funny stories and creating hilarious terms his friends and family called “Jerry-isms.” He was also a sports lover, playing baseball and enjoying scuba diving, as well as a big Seahawks and Mariners fan. 

He was married to Mary in 1968, had two sons Randy and Rob, and later divorced. Jerry married his beautiful wifey, Seawillow, in 1980, gaining two stepdaughters, Kelli (Vonheeder) Prader and Kimberley Vonheeder. Together nearly 50 years, he and Seawillow enjoyed traveling, living as snowbirds in Arizona for several years and spending time with their family and friends in “God’s Country” in the Pacific Northwest.

Jerry has passed on to join his mother and father “Chet” and “Dixie”; his stepmother Inez (Brown); his stepfather Floyd (Fleischman); his mother-in-law Seawillow (Brown); his father-in-law Rayford (Brown) and his brother Larry (Donna). Jerry leaves behind his wife Seawillow; his brother Dennis (Gail); his brother-in-law Daryl (Gayle); his children Kimberley, Kelli (Chris), Randy and Rob; his grandchildren Austin and Gracie; his nephews Scott, Mike and Daryl Jr.; and his nieces Danica, Kristan and Hilary. 

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Jerry’s life on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Lacey Community Center, 6729 Pacific Ave. SE, Lacey, Washington. 

Please note Lacey Community Center is not able to receive deliveries. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society. The family would like to thank the staffs of Vista Oncology and Providence St. Peter Hospital for their compassionate care.