John W. Jensen

John Walter Jensen, age 82, a longtime resident of Plymouth, MI and Deerfield Beach, FL; and a deeply-loved husband, father, grandfather, advisor, and friend, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by family and his favorite music, on September 7, 2024, after experiencing kidney issues and complications from surgery. Throughout his medical ups and downs over the past few months, John always kept his sense of humor and philosophical, pragmatic outlook. Every nurse and doctor who helped try to heal him loved him. He was so strong; his determination to bounce back for his family worked after each setback, until his body told him, “No more.” Throughout his life, he was quietly funny, loved by little kids and animals, and a real gentleman. He taught his kids a love for the natural environment, equality and respect for people of all backgrounds, and that truth, ethics, and devotion to family are the paramount ways to live a quality life. He loved a good laugh, a great meal, and a gin and tonic during “attitude adjustment hour” (A.K.A. “happy hour”). John was an excellent swimmer, at one point mastering the skill of holding his breath while pulling himself underwater for three lengths of the pool in a row, much to the awe of his children. In addition, being the son of one of the best cooks ever, John was a grill master, making the best fall-off-the-bone ribs (coated in his homemade barbeque sauce) regularly over the years for friends and family, among many, many other wonderful dishes. In addition, he enjoyed reading, keeping up with the news, history, college football, following the stock market, and trying new restaurants. His family cherishes all the memory-building trips they took together: from the Leelanau Peninsula each summer to Seattle countless times, from Lake Ogemaw to Deerfield Beach, and from Knoxville to California over the years. He and his devoted wife of 57 years, Arlene, were proud to meet and keep so many wonderful friends, including those they met during their first years as Michiganders, excellent neighbors, the Plymouth “First Friday” revelers, the gang at Sommer Dorf in West Branch, and good friends at the Cove Beach Club during the winters. In terms of his life story, John grew up in Knoxville, TN, the son of Chicago transplants, and attended college at Miami University in Ohio, where he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, graduating in 1964. After college, he served a two-year stint as a naval officer, stationed in Long Beach, CA, before shipping off to the Philippines and Hong Kong, and later to the coasts of Vietnam. His Navy days gave him a lifelong love of the sea, ships, and nautical navigation. While in Long Beach, he noticed a Los Angeles public school teacher named Arlene, and they began their lives together, marrying in 1967 and moving to Michigan after he was hired by the Ford Motor Company, from which he retired in 1998 after a 32-year career as a Purchasing Manager. He enjoyed many wonderful years of retirement, devoting much time to his adoring grandchildren as well as his hobbies. John is preceded in death by his parents Walter A. and Bertha L. Jensen and is survived by his beloved wife, Arlene M. (nee Shestak) Jensen, son Erik (Leilani) of Seattle, WA, daughter Julie of Plymouth, cherished grandchildren Lila and Tate, loyal grand-dog Ryker the Great Dane (who spent many-a-day by his side in the skilled nursing center as well as in John’s last moments), sister Barbara (William) Flanagan of Coral Springs, FL, and nieces Chris, Kelly, and Erin. Memorial contributions may be made to the Capuchin Soup Kitchen of Detroit or Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan. To share a memory, please use the share a memory tab on this webpage.

John W. Jensen

May 19, 1942 - September 7, 2024