1934
Jimmy
2015
Jimmy Boller
April 18, 1934 — January 15, 2015
Listen to Obituary
James Walter "Jimmy" Boller, age 80, of Baltimore passed away peacefully Thursday, January 15, 2015 at Heritage Center, Genesis Healthcare in Dundalk.
Born April 18, 1934 in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Charles W. Boller and Mary Glean Demmitt Boller. He was the husband of the late Katherine F. Boller, whom he married in 1978.
Mr. Boller started playing the drums at the age of four. He attended Franklin Junior High School and Milford Mill Senior High School, where he graduated in 1952, where he also played the drums. In addition, he marched with the Pikesville Kiwanis Marching Band and won a 'Gene Krupa Contest" at a club on Eutaw Street. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and played in the Navy Band. Upon being discharged in 1955, he pursed a brief four year career with the Baltimore City Police Department and then decided to return to his first love the drums. He has played with Jimmy McPartland and Lionel Hampton just to name a few. After sometime, he formed his own trio, The Jimmy Boller Trio and from 1957-1990 his band accompanied The Ink Spots where he served as the musical director. He also enjoyed touring with his band on many cruise ships.
In his spare time, he enjoyed martial arts and holds a black belt in Kodokeo for which his hands are registered as very special. To see his left hand, you would know his love of karate because he has the scars of more than 100 stitches from breaking bricks, karate style. He is also the only drummer who once turned down a chance to become a professional wrestler.
Surviving is his sister Mary Parish of Whitney, TX.
The family will receive friends 3 to 5 Sunday, January 18, at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills. Interment will be in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.eckhardtfuneralchapel.com.
Born April 18, 1934 in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Charles W. Boller and Mary Glean Demmitt Boller. He was the husband of the late Katherine F. Boller, whom he married in 1978.
Mr. Boller started playing the drums at the age of four. He attended Franklin Junior High School and Milford Mill Senior High School, where he graduated in 1952, where he also played the drums. In addition, he marched with the Pikesville Kiwanis Marching Band and won a 'Gene Krupa Contest" at a club on Eutaw Street. After graduation, he enlisted in the Navy and played in the Navy Band. Upon being discharged in 1955, he pursed a brief four year career with the Baltimore City Police Department and then decided to return to his first love the drums. He has played with Jimmy McPartland and Lionel Hampton just to name a few. After sometime, he formed his own trio, The Jimmy Boller Trio and from 1957-1990 his band accompanied The Ink Spots where he served as the musical director. He also enjoyed touring with his band on many cruise ships.
In his spare time, he enjoyed martial arts and holds a black belt in Kodokeo for which his hands are registered as very special. To see his left hand, you would know his love of karate because he has the scars of more than 100 stitches from breaking bricks, karate style. He is also the only drummer who once turned down a chance to become a professional wrestler.
Surviving is his sister Mary Parish of Whitney, TX.
The family will receive friends 3 to 5 Sunday, January 18, at the ECKHARDT FUNERAL CHAPEL, P.A., 11605 Reisterstown Road, Owings Mills. Interment will be in Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
Online condolences may be offered at www.eckhardtfuneralchapel.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Jimmy Boller, please visit our flower store.
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