BYRAM — Herbert Menger Jolly, age 76, died at Central Mississippi Medical Center Sunday, March 7, 2010, following a heart attack.

He was born Aug. 16, 1933, in Vicksburg to the late Herbert McFarland Jolly and Eleanor Menger Jolly. He graduated from Carr Central High in 1951 and attended Mississippi State University and Hinds Junior College.

Mr. Jolly served as director of engineering for Mississippi Educational Television (METV) from 1981 to 2000, retiring in the year 2000. While at METV he was responsible for the statewide FM radio and television broadcast network and microwave system and staff of 45 engineers. As director of engineering, he was responsible for the installation of the first high definition transmitter and broadcast of the first HD television programming in Mississippi in 1998, leading the public broadcasting industry in this state-of-the-art broadcast technology.

He held commercial pilot licenses and was a single and multi-engine, instrument rated pilot and certified flight instructor.

He was a member of Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church and a member of Brookwood Country Club. Throughout his life he pursued many interests including a love for amateur radio (W5ORT, 1943) film and digital photography and videography, computer programming, Web site development and any leading or bleeding edge electronics-based technology. He was an avid and competitive golf enthusiast. Not one to really retire, he pursued his love of photography working as a roving photographer for The Clarion-Ledger on a part-time basis.

Herbert is survived by his wife, Joan; his daughter, Elizabeth J. Kelley and her husband, Brian T. Kelley, of Clinton; his son, Robert M. Jolly and his wife, Brenda Delano, of Purcellville, Va.; his stepson, Greg T. Thornton of Byram; seven grandchildren, Ashley, Gregory, Jamie, Lee, Meghan, Scott and Wesley; and his sister, Helen J. Cates of Mooresville, N.C. He is further survived by nieces, nephews and many friends.

Services for Herbert Jolly will be as follows: Viewing will be held from 6 until 8 tonight, March 9, 2010, at Chancellor Funeral Home, 7225 S. Siwell Road in Byram and 9 to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10, 2010, with services following at 10 a.m. Dr. David Watson and the Rev. Glynn Pope of Lakeshore Congregational Methodist Church will officiate. A family committal service will be held at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Vicksburg, on Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Flowers can be sent to Chancellor Funeral Home, Byram.