Gerald 'Jerry' Jensen's Obituary
Gerald Wayne (Jerry) Jensen, passed away January 12, 2017 at the age of 87 after a short illness.
Jerry was born October 25, 1929 to parents Oliver and Elma Jensen of Perry, Iowa. After attending high school in Perry, Iowa, Jerry obtained employment with the US Geological Survey. He worked with a survey crew that traveled throughout the upper Midwest. His experience with the US Geological Survey inspired him to enroll at Iowa State University in 1950 where he obtained a Civil Engineering Degree and was active in the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. In addition to a wide variety of school activities, Jerry also joined the NROTC and in 1954 he began his service in the Navy on the carrier USS Oriskany. Jerry became the public relations officer for the Ship and published the "Cruise Book" that is prepared for each Naval Deployment Cruise.
In 1956, Jerry was accepted to the Harvard Business School where he graduated 2 years later as Magna Cum Laude. After working with Bucyrus Erie in Milwaukee, Jerry moved to Denver, Colorado to assist with the acquisition of the Denver Fire Clay Company which later became Thermal Ceramics Industries which Jerry owned. Thermal Ceramics acquired International Vermiculite which provided products to the glass, aluminum and steel industries. In 1984, Thermal Ceramics was sold and he and his wife Florence moved to Osprey, FL to focus on exploring the Bahamas by boat, traveling the US by RV and traveling the world with his good friends and family.
Over the course of his life he served in a voluntary capacity for the Colorado Commission of Higher Education, St. Scholastic Academy, along with other community based associations. Jerry was a member of the Oaks Club where he served on the Board and enjoyed golfing with his many friends for 25 years.
Jerry is survived by his wife of 63 years Florence, and children Craig, Wayne, Bruce, Scott, Cheryl Hodge, ten grandchildren and his sister Lavon Pickford, all of whom will miss him greatly.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 18, 2017 at the Brushy Church in Plano, Iowa with Pastor John VanWeelden officiating. Burial will follow at the Brushy Cemetery in Plano. A celebration of life will be held in Sarasota, Florida in the near future. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Brushy Community Church, Attention Arthur Lemley, 13413 110th Ave, Plano, IA 52581. They may also be mailed to Lange Funeral Home and Crematory, 1900 South 18th Street, Centerville, Iowa 52544. Condolences may be shared online at www.langefh.com.
Funeral Service
2017-01-18 10:30:00
Brushy Community Church
Hwy S70
Plano
IA
52581
Committal
2017-01-18 11:30:00
Brushy Cemetery
137th Ave
Plano
IA
52581
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