Obituary: A. Blair Jensen

A. Blair Jensen "An Example To All" Arthur Blair Jensen, beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, passed away at his home, June 29, 2005 of melanoma, surrounded by loved ones. He endured his illness with patience, dignity and was an example for all. Blair was born March 8, 1940 in Raymond, Alberta, Canada. His parents were Alfred and Bonita Critchfield Jensen. He had six sisters and three brothers. Blair was proud of his Canadian roots and Raymond and always treasured this great heritage of hard-working, giving people who cared for others more than themselves. The Critchfield and Jensen families were early colonizers on the beautiful flat prairies around Magrath and Raymond. Blair worked in farming and ranching as a young man and never lost his love for the land. He served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Southwest Indian Mission from 1961-1964. He was returning from the mission field to Raymond when he met his eternal companion, Ada Siler, on a bus in southeast Idaho. Six months later, they were married in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 29, 1964. They gave new meaning to the advertising slogan "Take the bus and leave the driving to us." From this eternal union, six wonderful children and their spouses, along with 11 grandchildren have enriched their lives: Tonya (Bart) Ferrin (Katee, Brandton and Christopher); Stephanie (Jason) Brown (Sydnee); Shauna Jensen; Dan (Jody) Jensen (Joshua, Zachary and Annalyn); Brooke (Tony) Cline (Taylor and Jacob); and Ally Jensen (Dylan and Connor). Blair loved and cherished his family. Blair graduated from LDS Business College and BYU. He worked for the LDS Church in the information systems area for over 38 years and was blessed to see the unfolding of technology needed to meet the needs of the Lord's work. His sweetheart, Ada, passed away from ALS in 1999, a loss from which he never fully recovered. He was blessed with another loving eternal companion when he married Weltha Jane Forsyth on July 27, 2001 in the Jordan River Temple. Blair's life was blessed beyond measure to be served by, and to associate with, many wonderful people and friends, starting with missionary service and through school, career, his neighborhood, ward and stake. He was pleased to serve in many assignments at the ward and stake level, most recently as an ordinance worker in the Jordan River Temple. His favorite calling was with Ada in the primary organization. Blair was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. Funeral services will be Tues., July 5, 11:00 a.m. at the Taylorsville 13th Ward, 1495 W. Tamarack Road (4565 South). Friends may call Sun., July 3, 6-8 p.m. at McDougal Funeral Home, 4330 South Redwood Road and Tuesday at the church, 9-10:45 a.m. Interment, Valley View Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Muscular Dystrophy Association, 4578 South Highland Drive, Salt Lake City, Utah 84117.