J. Jensen

J. B. Jensen, 82, life time resident and businessman of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Monday, November 18, 2013 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville.

J. B. was born on August 17, 1931 in Coffeyville to Kreston R. and Mellie Bliss Jensen. He grew up in Coffeyville where he graduated from Field Kindley Memorial High School and attended Coffeyville Community College. He then went to Kansas State University where he achieved his Bachelors Degree in Engineering. After college, in 1955 he served his country in the United States Navy until receiving his honorable discharge.

On his 21st birthday J. B. was united in marriage to Doris Tuttle in Coffeyville, Kansas. Of that union three children were born. She preceded him in death due to complications during childbirth on September 25, 1961. He later married Donna Richardson Owens who also had three children.

In 1956 J. B. began working with the family business at Jensen Brothers. In 1973 he founded and built Jencast Foundry in South Coffeyville, Oklahoma which he was President and CEO of until his retirement in 2007. J. B. loved working in the foundry and tinkering on things. He also designed and patented several pump jack units.

He was an avid pilot who enjoyed flying planes since he was a teenager. In his youth and early adulthood he enjoyed the Big Band era and was a talented saxophone and piano player. He played in the local high school Big Band.

J. B. was a member of the Westside Christian Church in Coffeyville, a member and past president of Gideons International, a lifetime member of the American Foundrymens Society and was also an active participant and supporter of the Coffeyville Salvation Army.

Surviving to honor his memory are his sons, James B. Jensen II and his wife, Peggy of Lucasville, Ohio, Jon Eric Jensen and his wife, Velena of Coffeyville, Kansas daughter, Diane Jericho of Coffeyville, Kansas six grandchildren and several greatgrandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kreston and Mellie an infant daughter twin brother, Richard Frankie Jensen who passed at the age of 4 from injuries suffered after being struck by a car brother, Kreston R. Jensen II and his wife, Marilyn sister, Effie Jo Wade and her husband, Bernard.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, November 22, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at the Westside Christian Church in Coffeyville. Pastor Mike Elrod will officiate. A private family burial will follow. Friends may call on Thursday, November 21, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at FordWulfBruns Chapel in Coffeyville to sign the guest register. The family will greet friends Thursday evening at the funeral home from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. The family suggests memorial contributions can be made to Gideons International these may be left with the funeral home. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com