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Gary Arthur Jensen
01/21/1946 — 02/11/2009
From West, Richland, WA, US | Born in Bellingham, WA
Gary Arthur Jensen
Gary Arthur Jensen, age 63, of W. Richland, Washington, passed from us due to complications of ALS Lou Gehrig 's disease on February 11th to meet his Lord & Savior Jesus Christ and to be reunited with his beloved wife Joan. He was born as Gary Clayton Nieuwendorp on January 21, 1946 in Bellingham, Washington. When his parents divorced, his mother subsequently remarried Neil Jensen, and he was adopted. He grew up in Bellingham graduating from Bellingham High School in 1964. While in high school he became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He later served a mission for his church in France, and then returned to Bellingham to pursue his training as a teacher.
In 1968 he married Joan Rudd and they were later sealed in the Salt Lake temple for time and all eternity. They moved from Bellingham in 1970 so Gary could begin his teaching career at the Toutle Lake School District. Joan died of cancer in 1972 and Gary and his son Joey moved to the Tri-Cities in 1973 where Gary began teaching for the Kennewick School District where he taught for the next 28 years.
He was blessed to find Colleen, and they became husband and wife in 1975 bringing her three children Steven, Cori & Kim into their new family and in 1977 their son Michael was born.
Gary was an active member of his church throughout his life, serving in various leadership and teaching positions. He also served for many years in the teachers' union as bargainer and president. He served on the executive board of the Kennewick and Washington Education Association as well as the Benton County Republican party.
He loved to sing and play the guitar, both in the classroom and to entertain others. He loved to travel with his wife and family and their favorite vacation spots were at the ocean with sing-along on the beach.
After retiring in 2001, he continued to teach in both Kennewick and Richland for six more years in alternative education programs. He was always happy to meet former students, and they seemed to be everywhere.
Gary is survived by his father Clayton and his mother Helen, his sisters Gayle Hansen & Jo Jensen, as well as his wife Colleen, their five children and eight grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father Neil.
Funeral services will be held at LDS Jadwin Chapel on Wednesday, February 18th at 1:00pm. A memorial service will be held in Bellingham on February 20th. Those wishing to donate may donate to the Evergreen chapter of the ALS association at http://webwa.alsa.org or The ALS Association Evergreen Chapter - 19110 66th Avenue S #G-101 Kent, WA 98032. This beast must be destroyed!
A funeral service will held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 1:00pm at the LDS Jadwin Chapel in Richland, WA. Visitation will take place on Tuesday, February 17, 2009 from 5:00-8:00pm at Einan's Funeral Home.
Children are a window into the soul of God. Thank you to Gary for opening so many windows. We honor his family for sharing him with the world. You will be in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
Colleen, It is with a great respect for Gray that I write this note. I knew Gary for short time in our lives but grew to really admire his humor and strength in his battle with this sickness. I as well as all of your family will miss him greatly, my heart feels the pain now that you must feel also, but we can remember the good times with him, may God be with you.
Bill and Joanna Wilcoxson
Colleen and family, I am so sorry. I hate this disease! Gary made a difference, giving hope and keeping me posted on research around the globe. I will miss him. Love and hugs, Carrie Fernald
Our love and prayers go to Colleen and her family. Gary was and is a loving gentle man and I am glad that I am able to say I know him.
Love: D’Lana and the kids
We are so sorry and offer our deepest condolences at this time.
Mike and Tawnia Douglass and family
I am so sorry for the loss of such a kind and gentle soul. I am happy to know that Gary is at peace. I thank him for the Christmas singing memory that I will always remember.
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of Gary. Fond memories flood back to Bellingham High and Gary. My prayers are with the family. I pray for peace and comfort for you all.
Oh, Colleen, I’m so sorry to hear of Gary’s passing! What a brave soul he was as he continued to attend Church every Sunday in spite of the difficulty. My heart goes out to you as you adjust to the changes this will cause in your life. How grateful we are for our knowledge of the Gospel and the plan of salvation. That helps to ease the loneliness ~ but not completely. You are in my prayers. Love, Pauline Dawes
Gary,
In everyones lives their are a few select people who leave a lasting inprint, and you were one such individual. Fortunately, you not only left an imprint on my live, but at least a two dozen other students who were blessed to be part of your first sixth grade class at Toutle Elementary in 1970-71. The songs you taught us are still sang 38 years later as if they were taught yesterday.
While we communicated about your disease, it was a powerful message on your part to continue to hope for a cure with an incurable disease. We saw this disease take our Aunt Eunice very quickly, but she like yourself did not let the disease destroy her spirit or will to live, and for that anyone who was acquainted with you within the last few years has received a blessing.
May your enthusiasm for live and teaching continue to be a beacon for the many students lives you have touched throughout the years.
You can truly lay your head to rest knowing that you did everything God could ask of an individual to be a witness on this earth.
God blessed us with your presence here on earth, and now it is his turn to share your presence.
The picture that is posted on the guestbook reminders of back in the old days. Life so simple and easy. Mura,Gary,Linda and I think Sharon shared great times singing. Gary had such a wonderful sense of humor. When I think of Gary this will be my memories. The great smile and his love to play and sind. My thoughts and prayers to the family.
I am heartsick over the loss of Mr. Jensen. He was such a good person and a really neat teacher. He was my favorite teacher in the 7th grade and now that I’ve got my own students I often tell them stories about him. I remember when he taught our class the lyrics to Cats in the Cradle with his old guitar in hand; every time I hear that song I’m back in the 7th grade, singing along. He will be deeply missed!
Dear Colleen and Family, I will never forget the wonderful year I team-taught with Gary! He wrote and sang a special song for my 50th birthday “Old Teacher in Love” and dressed up as Elvis to serenade Colleen! What a character! What I will remember most about Gary is how he treated all students with respect and honor. His patience with the kids was amazing and I will always remember his many kindnesses. Also, with Gary, what’s best for kids always came first. I will miss him very much and hope to honor his memory by trying to emulate his passion for education. Gary and I shared a love for folk music and we both liked the Bob Dylan song, “Turn, Turn, Turn”. In that song Dylan quotes the book of Ecclesiastes, Chapter 3, verse 1, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” Gary’s time has come much too soon, but he has enriched and made a difference to many. I am proud to say I know him and I thank him for everything. Love, Linda
To the Family of Gary Jensen:
Gary impacted the lives of our three oldest children as they attended Highlands Middle School. The time & effort that he put into the yearly school musical with Kathy Hand resulted in a wonderful experience for them, and a great self-image booster. They are much older now, with little children of their own, but still remember the experiences fondly.
As parents, we had other connections with Gary. Roger served a French speaking mission also. Terese was sometimes a substitute teacher, and had many interactions with Gary over the ensuing years. Gary was a good example of our LDS faith to all he came in contact with. He was always kind and considerate, always friendly and interesting to talk to. I Terese don’t think I knew until I read his obituary that we were both from Bellingham–yet another connection. The last time I saw Gary, I think was in the foyer of the temple, and I wondered why he looked so sick. God will bless him for his dedication, and we hope He will also bless your family as you adjust to your loss.
Gary was a truly kind and gracious individual. As I periodically met with him during the last year of his life, I always came away from our visits being uplifted rather than sad or discouraged by his behavior. He truly had a knowledge that this life was a temporary existence and that he would leave and return from whence he came and to his Father in Heaven.
I feel honored to have known him.
Also, I must add how it was obvious that his wife, Colleen, loved him deeply and cared for his every need. What an example to us all.
Sincerely,
Don E. Powell
Dear Colleen and Family, It is almost too difficult to think about the world without Gary. He made every minute an opportunity, every downturn a positive moment, and every person feel important and needed. We fondly remember his famous adage, “be thankful for the blessings you don’t enjoy,” a play on the almost vain repetition used by us Mormons in prayers. May the Lord bless you, Colleen, and your family, during this time away from Gary.
Sincerely, The Rex Family.
Most teachers care about kids. Gary went beyond that and cared about teachers and about his profession. With humor and gentle grit, he worked to make education better. We teased and benefited from his love for life, faculty leftovers, and music. God speed, Gary. You’ll be missed. Aloha, Concie
Our lives are sometimes touched by gentle souls during earth’s sojourn. Gary Arthur Jensen was one of these rare, special individuals. We had the privilege of meeting and knowing Gary, Colleen and their family when we first moved to Richland over thirty year ago. I never heard Gary say anything bad about anyone. He was one of the most positive persons I’ve ever had the privilege of knowing even when he was in pain. Gary was an example of good throughout his life as evidenced by the many tributes written in this guestbook. He truly exemplified the Golden Rule and his love of the gospel and his Savior, Jesus Christ. Gary loved music and very often sang in my church choirs. I loved having him there and appreciated his sweet baritone voice and significant musical talent. Gayle and I send our most profound sympathy to Colleen and the Jensen family and send our love albeit from the other side of the country. We have many memories of the Jensen family and we shall always treasure them. May our Heavenly Father’s choicest blessings be showered on you all at this difficult time! Knowing the wonderful man Gary was, I have no doubt that the Savior, Jesus Christ welcomed him back with the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant!
For Gary’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. Gary and I shared many emails togther as we shared our medical problems…Gary NEVER felt sorry for himself and he was a blessing to me with his support..I will miss him so much.
Gary–
I will miss you like crazy. You were an inspiration to many students at Rivers Edge and any where else you went.
Colleen– Your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.
May God Bless your family
Rest In Peace Gary–
-Jessica Torie
Former student
Gary was a shining light in our family. I often observed the warmth and caring he showed to his wife Colleen, his children and any one else he came in contact with. He was fun loving and had a quick wit that everyone enjoyed. I will miss him and his songs, stories and smile. Gary you were a pleasure to have here on earth. WE LOVE YOU!!!
Dear Colleen,
I just heard this morning of Gary’s passing on February 11, 2009.
Although this is late in coming, we do wish to offer condolences from Brenda and myself for you and your families loss, and let you know if you need anything, a phone call away isn’t that far.
I did not know Gary that well, but am sure that he made a great difference in the lives of many, many students. I believe it’s what we leave behind that really counts. And I can think of nothing more important than impacting the lives of young people during these difficult times in which we live.
We will have you in our thoughts and prayers.
Rick and Brenda Herrington
Guestbook for
Gary Arthur Jensen