This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: AMHhenley Surnames: Jensen, Jarvis, Bunkall Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.idaho.counties.franklin/2182/mb.ashx Message Board Post: The Salt Lake Tribune, 11/08/07 A graduation celebration was held Monday evening, November 5, 2007, in honor of Raymond George Jensen, on the other side. Ray was greeted by his father Hjalmar E. Jensen, his beloved mother Silva Matilda Jarvis Jensen, his brothers Pete, Dick, Al, sister Silva, and many other relatives and friends, including his World War II buddies. Born January 21, 1914 in Salt Lake City, Ray was a powerful divine creator of many things during his life. He grew up in South Salt Lake, the second youngest of 5 children. At the age of 6 he sold newspapers to help support his family, which inspired a life long love of reading. His mother was sick, so he didn't start school, but stayed home to care for her and his younger brother. It wasn't until his mothers death, at the age of 8, that he finally started the first grade. At 15 he ran away from home with his brothers, becoming farm hands in Franklin, Idaho. He graduated from Franklin High School and lettered all four years in basketball and tra! ck. He worked at a CCC camp after high school. Spent time as a cowboy, sheepherder and hobo, riding the rails during the Depression. *He spent a year in New Guinea and a year in the Philippines during World War II. As a member of the Navy SeaBees, 105th Construction Battalion, "The first in the Philippines", he participated in the Leyte Gulf invasion to retake the Philippines. Dad was truly a "man's man" and a capable leader of men which started during the war. His career was in the construction field where he created many beautiful homes. He worked on Camp Kostopolus, Huntsman Special Events Center and the Church Office Building. As a building construction superintendent he built the Tri-Arc Travel Lodge (now the Red Lion Hotel), and the J.C. Penny Office Building. He often ended up being the boss, because he was kind, fair, and respected by other men. One of his favorite jobs was as carpenter on the set of the movie "Devils Brigade". He retired as a Utah State Building In! spector. His talents and creativity also included a life long ! love of the writing of prose and poetry and leaves a legacy of nearly a thousand poems. He didn't just write lines that rhymed, but studied the forms of poetry and took special pride in writing "French Rondo's" which he said were the most difficult and challenging. He was also an accomplished oil painter which he started doing in high school. He loved to dance, sing, (spent years as a member of the Olympus Male Chorus and one year as President), reading Tom Clancy and Tony Hillerman novels, watching BYU and the U of U. football games and golf with Billy Casper on TV. For years, if the weather was good, he, his brother, and son would golf on Thanksgiving morning and his January birthday. He built doll houses and finely detailed doll furniture in his woodshop., painted landscapes, wrote and published 5 books of his poetry. He completed his autobiography in 2004 and it is part of the Library of Congress collection of war memoirs. The best son-in-law in the world took him to Washington ! D.C. for the WWII memorial dedication and for Saturday morning breakfasts. Perhaps his greatest "creative" accomplishment was his family. He is survived by his bride, Ada June Bunkall Jensen. They were married July 22, 1937, marriage later solomized in the Salt Lake Temple. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in July. He is also survived by his three children, Ronald Ray Jensen (Marites Palola), Patricia Ann Schafer (Tom), and Kerry Jensen (Lucy Fairchild), all of Salt Lake City. Grandchildren, Todd (Jensen) Dewsnup, Tahei (Jensen) Pack, Kanani (Jensen) Pack, Angela Jensen, Dylan Rodgers, Jonathan Rand Rodgers, Jeremy Schafer, Alyssa Schafer, Princess Lhyn Palola, and RJ (Randolph James) Palola. Great-grandchildren Brittany Schafer, Sierra Sharp, Holly Jensen and Josie Dewsnup. Many nieces and nephews. Ray is a caring and loving husband and father and would do anything for his kids, but his greatest legacy was the example he set by how he lived. He was a loyal fr! iend to all. He had a long life full of happiness with his fa! mily and many friends. A celebration of his life will be held Saturday, November 10th, 2007, at 1 p.m. at the Murray City Cemetery, 5600 South Vine Street, Murray. Relatives and friends welcome. So long Ray, a true "Renaissance Man' will be missed, but will live in our hearts and thoughts forever. Two of Dad's poems follow: Bugles The sound of bugles makes me cry, I heard them often in the war. Don't let them play them when I die, the sound of bugles makes me cry. Just have one flag o're me fly, and let me sleep forevermore. The sound of bugles makes me cry, I heard them often in the war. My Solitude Find a grassy spot for me beneath a large and spreading tree To guard my grave from wind and snow; then gently lay my form below. And if the red winged black birds sing up in my tree in early spring-- Somewhere in an ethereal place, I shall hear--and do them grace. Lay not a flower on my bier--For each reminds of someone here I would not have them lay there to soak my grave with tears o! f care. Just hard and firm, tamp the sod--Then dedicate it unto God. Published in the Salt Lake Tribune on 11/8/2007. 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