James Jensen

James Burt Jensen, age 81 born on March 8, 1943, to Marvin and Ottilla (McKnight) Jensen, was reunited with his eternal companion Jane Gunderson Jensen on November 26, 2024.
He began his long travel history at a young age, spending his childhood in CA, UT, Japan, TX, and Washington.

He was called to serve in the Great Lakes Mission. He would later return to the Great Lakes area with his family as a Professor of Microbiology at Michigan State University.

He was married to his life-long best friend Jane Gunderson Jensen in the Salt Lake City Temple by Harrold B Lee on February 26th, 1965.

He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree from Brigham Young University and his doctoral degree from Auburn University in Microbiology. He also completed postgraduate work at the Laboratory of Parasitology of the Rockefeller University. He taught and compiled his research at Rockefeller University, Michigan State University, Brigham Young University, The Ezra Taft Benson Agriculture and Food Institute and Utah Valley University.

He was active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, bearing a living testimony of the Restored Gospel by serving as Bishop and in the Stake Presidency in New York City, East Lansing Michigan and Provo UT. Faith in his Savior Jesus Christ guided him throughout his life.

Dr. James Jensen was a man who lived a life that was full of adventure, hard work, curiosity and dedication to his family. He had a natural curiosity that led him to search out answers. He was an avid reader, a lover of nature, a man who liked to discover and conquer new hobbies and activities such as skiing, photography, fly fishing, hiking, wood working, and clock building. His laser focus allowed him to concentrate on his research which led to groundbreaking discoveries within his field.

Later in life, he returned to the mission field with his companion Rebecca Johnson and served in Griffin GA.

He is survived by his children Christian (Becky), Stephanie, Davidson (Chia-Chun), Levi, Leah (Benjamin Lewis) and Joshua as well as 14 grandchildren, one great grandchild, and Becky Johnson.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Jane Gunderson Jensen, his beloved brother and sister, Steven Mehner and Ida Mae Enlow and great granddaughter Elizabeth Jane Mangum.