Lawrence Allen Jensen

Lawrence Allen Jensen was the oldest child born to  Herbert Allen Jensen and Eunice Lulu Parsons on March 9, 1939.  On June 12, 2022, he departed this earthly life after a struggle with fibrotic lung disease.  Larry had two younger sisters:  Elizabeth (Betty) who proceeded him in death and Eunie.

Larry grew up in Portland, Oregon graduating from Benson High School.  He joined the Air Force which took him to different parts of the world.  In 1961, he married his high school sweetheart Arlene Teeples (later divorced);  together then had four children:  Mark (Sheli), David (Keri), Leigh Ann (Kevin) and Bradly (Karen).  He met Monica Ray while attending Weber State College in 1988.  They spent 34 years together and finally tied the knot making it official in 2011 at a private ceremony in Hawaii.

Larry had a variety of responsibilities in the Air Force.  He worked in the athletic partment at the Air Force Academy in Colorado; Headquarters TAC in Rammstein, Germany; Tactical Air Command in Langley Virginia and finally at the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.  He retired from the Air Force in 1985 having served 28 years on active duty.

After Larry retired, he used his security clearance to work at Kennecott Utah Copper as a Security Site Manager.  He also assisted with security for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games held in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Larry loved to serve others.  He was a 20+ gallon blood donor.  For many years he volunteered for the Utah American Red Cross and was deployed to various parts of the country to assist with disaster relief.  He also worked with he Utah and International Special  Olympics.  One of his favorite ways to serve was as a Scout Master for the Boy Scouts of America.  He could often be seen packing the station wagon for camp outs.  There were many stories to be shared about their adventures backpacking Pike Peak — getting caught in snow storms, forest fires and dealing with injuries.  There were stories of him carrying two backpacks due to some problem or other, but all the boys made it home to go on for another day.  His final act of service took him away from home to take care of his aging mother which he did even though his own health was failing.

Larry loved being active.  He was a great swimmer, played volleyball, softball, German football, basketball, golf, sailing and skiing.  He loved spending time in the yard and growing gardens.  He would often take his harvest and make his famous labor-intensive “tomato relish,” which was a honor to receive (if he decided to share).

Larry was known to tell a story or two (raise your hand if you’ve heard this before) and he had some great ones.  His stories will be missed by those he leaves behind:  wife, four children, 12 grandchildren and 3.5 great grandchildren as well as his mother, sister, niece and her family and many who called him friend.

Military Honor Services will be held on Friday, July 8, 2022 2:00 p.m. at Utah Veterans Memorial Park, 17111 S. Redwood Rd. (1700 W.).  A Celebration of Life will also be held on Saturday, July 9, 2022 from 3-6 p.m. at the Silver Fork Lodge, 11332 E Big Cottonwood Canyon Rd, Brighton, UT 84121