Ray F. Jensen

Ray was my teacher, an inspiration, a counselor, a confidant. and best of all, my friend

I was saddened to learn about Ray´s passing. He was such a creative force at Bellevue College where he worked for years. Ray created the "Open Door" that sits in the College´s courtyard, an emblematic tribute to the work of community colleges, whose egalitarian "door" is open to all. In his sculpture two people are leaving an open door, a man followed by a woman. Ray explained that the community colleges were first founded to serve veterans after WWII, mainly men, and then during the...

I'm Emanuela, the daughter of Gianfranco Ornago, one of Ray's colleagues at Mrs. Heller's House at Cornell University. I'm so sorry to hear that Ray, whom I met twice, passed away. He was a real friend of my father and shared with him one of the most positive period of their life. My condolences to his family. I hope they met in Heaven.

In 1962, my family travelled to the Seattle World's Fair. We visited Ray & Gloria's family. I will always remember Ray taking us to his studio. He shared all his works with us. There were so many wondrous things to look at coupled with all our questions. Ray was a skilled artisan and his work quite unique. His artwork will be admired by many in the years to come. Our sincere condolences to Gloria, Kurt, Ann & family.

Ray's memory will always be of the art he created in the Seattle area. The fountain at Bellevue First Congregational Church that was perfect when it was first installed in patio garden and was perfect again in an atrium when the church moved. Using a photograph he sculpted a small child sitting on a rock. It was commissioned by the owner, Helen Hostetter. His artistic creations are a memorial.
Anne and Dudley Panchot

Ray's art pieces enrich the public, and private, spaces in this area. We will always remember the piece he made for Helen Hostetter that he modeled from a photograph and the beautiful and very classic water fountain for the entrance to Bellevue First Congregational Church. It was just right in the original location and transferred beautifully when the church moved.
We will miss him, but his work will live on.
Anne and Dudley Panchot

We have lots of great memories of Ray and all the Jensens. Our kids grew up together and were very good friends in their elementary school years. We and Ray and Gloria socialized for a long time, even after we moved a bit farther away. We have a sculpture of Rays ( a woman holding a (Barbie doll) comb and mirror) that is one of our favorites art pieces.
We send our love to the whole family and hope that your memories are a comfort to you.
Judi and Ron Larson

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