James Richard Jensen
1943 - 2015
James was born on August 16, 1943, passing away surrounded by his family from complications to heart disease and exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War.
James was the oldest son born to Ernest R. and Evelyn Sylvia Carmen Jensen. He was born and raised in Byron, Wyoming. James attended Byron High School, later enrolled at Brigham Young University where he studied Electrical Engineering. He was a kind soul with a tender heart towards family and friends. James loved building electrical projects, including a wall-mounted television long before they became popular today.
Answering two calls of importance for church and country, James served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Paris France, following in the footsteps of both parents, who served in the same area. He was a fluent French speaker.
Upon release from his church service, James attended BYU but was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. This was especially difficult as he had recently married his eternal companion, Janet Nelson, in the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple. They were married 48 years.
Among the citations he received in Vietnam, he was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with an oak leaf cluster and the V device for valor. Finishing his Army campaign, James was happy to return to school and graduate. James worked majority of professional career with Utah Power & Light as an electrical engineer, where he oversaw the building of transmission lines throughout Utah and southwest Wyoming. He also traveled internationally as an expert engineer. After retiring, he worked for ECI and served several service missions for the church.
James is survived by his eternal companion, Janet, and six children: Craig, David, Curt (Dorisann), Maren (Allen) Muhlestein, Scott (Heidi), and Tine. He was blessed with 15 grandchildren. He is survived by six siblings: Carma Anderson, John J. Jensen, Janina Webster, Jolene Muller, Ralph Carmen Jensen and Jed Jensen. He was preceded in death by many loved ones including his parents, and by a younger brother, Nathan Robert.
A public viewing were held Thursday, Aug. 13, at 6 p.m., at Russon Brothers Funeral Home, 295 N. Main St., Bountiful, Utah. Funeral services Friday, Aug. 14, 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2651 South 500 West, Bountiful, Utah.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly suggests a contribution to the Huntsman Cancer Institute, located in Salt Lake City.
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