James Preston Jensen

1935 - 2016

Service: "Is the fire in the furnace of your heart sufficient to warm another's Soul?"
Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and friend passed away at age 81 in his sleep on February 1st, 2016 in Saint George, Utah. Preston was born January 28, 1935 in Redmond, Utah to Ervin James Jensen and Imo Eudora Christensen. He grew up with three sibilings: Rollo, Maurine and Russell who all preceded him in death. He graduated from North sevier High School in 1953. He married his high school sweetheart Kathryn Crane in the Manti LDS Temple. Their new family soon grew to 6 with four children: Roe Ann, Russell, Rick and Rae Gene.
After high school Preston worked for the D & RG and Western Pacific Railroads as a telegrapher. Then he joined the Air Force with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He attended Texas Tech and then went on to the University of Utah where he majored in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting. The Jensen family then moved to California where Preston worked for Waste King International. When the family realized they could no longer see the stars because of the smog they packed up and back to Utah to work for Olympia Sales. Preston was ambitious and a shrewd businessman with dreams of starting his own company. He fulfilled this dream in 1967 when he was able to take over a failing business, Utah System Builders, and make it profitable with franchises in Ogden, Provo, Vernal and Cedar City. After many years of hard work and long hours, Preston retired in 1988 so he could enjoy long days on the golf course and more time with family. He was an avid believer in Jesus Christ and in the LDS faith. He believed strongly in following covenants and helping as many people around him as he could whether they were family, friends or strangers. In 1989 Preston and Kay served together as the office couple in The Arkansas Little Rock Mission. He was a member of the bishopric in the Bountiful Oak Hills Ward and he served as the Scoutmaster for many years. He worked very hard to earn his Wood Badge. He served several Stake and District missions in Bountiful, Utah and Lubbock, Texas. But one of his rewarding callings was working in the Saint George Temple. He loved most of all to be outside in nature whether that was on the golf course or hunting in the mountains.
During the last years of his life, Preston was determined to leave a legacy of himself for his family and friends through a written history of his life. We will treasure this but remember more the long hugs, a gentle smile, nights of Gin Rummy and his telling of tall tales with bits of wisdom hidden inside. We will miss you but we know this is not the end; we will hug you again someday.
Pres was preceded in death by his daughter Roe Ann Jeppson. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Jensen, children Russell, Rick and Rae Gene along with 20 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 6, 2016 at the Bountiful Oak Hills Ward Chapel, 455 South 1200 East, Bountiful, where a viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to services. Interment-Lakeview Cemetery. Online guest book at www.russonmortuary.com.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to the Perpetual Education Fund of the LDS church.