Richard Dick Joseph Jensen Sr
April 07, 1936 - November 10, 2018
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Richard Dick Joseph Jensen Sr
April 07, 1936 - November 10, 2018
Obituary
Richard “Dick” Joseph Jensen Sr., age 82, passed away at his home in Bellingham on Saturday November 10, 2018 from complications due to ALS. Dick was born in Bellingham, WA on April 7, 1936 and spent his early years on Lopez Island, WA. At the age of eleven, he moved to Seattle and in 1953 graduated from Roosevelt High School. After a year attending WWU, Dick enlisted in the United States Navy in June 1954 and married his childhood sweetheart, Connie Buffum of Lopez Island, in October of that year. After being honorably discharged from the Navy in 1958, Dick and Connie set up residence in Bellingham, WA where they raised all three of their children. Dick took a job with Ennens Food Stores, Inc. – a company that he would loyally and joyfully serve for the next 40 years until his retirement in 1999. In the years after his retirement, Dick enjoyed being one of the owners of Cruisin’ Coffee.
Dick is remembered for his love of golf, travel, music, and his family (not necessarily in that order). He was a gifted singer (and whistler) and possessed a mischievous sense of humor and a very quick wit. Dick was an extremely generous person – the Christmas Eve celebrations that he and Connie presided over at their home for almost 40 years grew to include four generations of Jensens and have become the stuff of legend.
Dick was preceded in death by his father, Leroy Jensen, and by his mother, Beatrice Slavens. Dick is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Connie Fae Jensen, by his two sisters, Marilyn Pearson and Kathy Smith, and by his three children, Kandice McCallum, Richard Jensen Jr., and Christopher Jensen. He is also survived by six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, and by his feline companion, Winston.
A memorial service for Dick will be held on Thursday December 13, 2018 at 1:00 p.m. at Moles Farewell Tributes – 2465 Lakeway Drive in Bellingham.
Memorial Service
- Date & Time: December 13, 2018 (12:00 AM)
- Venue: Moles Farewell Tributes - Bellingham
- Location: 2465 Lakeway Drive Bellingham, WA 98229 - (Get Directions)
- Phone Number: (360) 733-0510
7 responses to Richard Dick Joseph Jensen Sr
Marsha Coffelt says:
November 10, 2018
I’ve just learned about Uncle Dick. And I am ever so sorry for your lost. There are no words to express what you all must be feeling. I know that nothing can take away the pain, but I just wanted you to know that I feel your lost. I am so sorry for this, Aunt Connie.
Stephanie says:
November 10, 2018
Grandpa… you have always been and remain my role model, my inspiration, and someone whom I love and adore. I will never forget, and will always appreciate, your unconditional love and admiration for our family. I am heartbroken, but you have left me with countless memories that I will always hold near and dear to my heart. I love you more than I can put into words, which is probably why I haven’t said many. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ❤️
Marilyn Jensen Pearson says:
November 10, 2018
Hi I am Dicks sister Marilyn and I remember when living on Lopez Island my brother and his friend were playing out side it was summer so Dick had is small tent pitched in back yard and they had a wooden box full of Lincoln Logs small kinds of Army men and trucks and I wanted to play too So I kept giving them a bad time I was only 4 pushing there stuff so Dick goes in the house and tells our mom to come get me out of the tent so of course I lost the battle and had to go in the house tell his friend went home :) ❤️❤️❤️
Laura Murdzia says:
November 10, 2018
So sorry for your loss Jensen family. What impressed me the most was that Dick was a “gramps” to a lot of Angela’s friends for many, many years. Dick and Connie supported many years of sports for his granddaughter and her friends. He was a very kind sole. Everyone will miss him tremendously.
Christine Smith-Hodson says:
November 10, 2018
I always loved when Mr. and Mrs. Jensen came into the Ennens and later Cost Cutter store where I worked. Such a wonderful couple, funny, and down to earth. My thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Jensen, and family through this trying time.