Milton R. Jolley Collection

Milton Robinson Jolley was born December 30, 1919 in Paragonah, Utah, the eldest of seven children to Nephi and Bertha Jolley. He attended Cedar High School and graduated from the Branch Agricultural College. Before World War II, Milt attended Utah State Agricultural College (now Utah State University). He married Ruth Barlow in 1940. At the beginning of World War II, Milt joined the Navy where he served in the South Pacific and Philippines. After returning home from the War, he and Ruth divorced. Milt then became from the US Navy Reserve to the Guard in 1953. In 1955, Milt married Vie Black. Milt then became involved in several local businesses by promoting Southern Utah and Cedar City. Some of his earlies business endeavors included Milt's Taxi Service, Milt's Bowling, Milt's Circus Lounge and Milt's Stage Stop. He was one of the founding members of the Iron Rangers and was the first full-time executive secretary for the Cedar City Chamber of Commerce and Iron County Industrial Development from 1958-1967. And helped launch much of the manufacturing industry in Cedar City. He also organized the Southern Utah Advertising Association where he began promoting travel and recreations businesses in "Color Country". He then became known as Utah's "Roving Ambassador," a name given through his official position as the Deputy Directory of the Utah Travel Council. He helped to establish several golf courses and ski resorts through Utah. Milt passed away in Cedar City, Utah in 2006.