Obituary of James Kenneth Jensen

Schenectady, NY- James Kenneth “Ken” Jensen, 88, of Schenectady, formerly of Bedminster, NJ, peacefully passed away January 23, 2013 from renal failure. Born in the Bronx, Ken graduated from James Monroe High School in 1942. It was during his high school years that he met and fell in love with Enid, his beloved wife of 57 years. Ken enlisted in the Navy in 1942 and became a flight instructor through 1945. He resumed his education at R.P.I. and married Enid in 1948 upon her graduation from Mt. Holyoke College. After graduating from R.P.I. in 1951, they moved briefly to Ohio where their daughter, Barbara, was born. Then returning to NJ to be closer to family, their son, James, was born in Montclair. The next move was to Plainfield during which time Ken received his Masters from Stevens Institute of Technology. Ultimately choosing to raise their family in Scotch Plains, Ken was employed by Western Electric until his retirement. Ken was a very involved family man, avid skier, camper, and hiker. Ken and Enid also headed up the Union County Hoofbeats 4-H Club for many years. Ken and Enid thoroughly enjoyed their retirement from their new home in Bedminster. Their earlier years of roller skating set the basis for years of square dancing enjoyment, and the accompanying precious friendships. Their winters were spent in Pharr, TX, and the rest of the year planning their next exotic trip. Extensive travels in the United States joined trips to Cnanada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, the Orient, Africa and Europe. Every September was marked with a trip to Myrtle Beach with Barb and Jim. In 2007, Ken moved to Schenectady, NY where he met many wonderful friends. His winters in TX continued for the next two years. Family trips to Myrtle Beach remained a tradtion, andhis last exotic trip was to South Africa in 2008. Ken was predeceased by Enid in 2005, survivors include his children, Barbara Lee Jensen of Clifton Park, NY, and James Kenneth Jensen, III of Virginia Beach, VA; granddaughters Jessica Jensen and Melissa Jensen, great-grandson Jaxton McNicholas. Also mourning his passing are sister in law Sallee Friday of Winter Park, FL, plus niece Carol Friday, (FL), Ruth Reardon (NJ), Nancy Griffin (FL) and their respective families. Visitation will be held on Saturday Jan 26, 2013 from 8:30am until 9:30 am at the Bailey Funeral Home, 176 Main St., Peapack, NJ, followed by a funeral service at 10:00am at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Gladstone. Interment Hillside Cemetery, Scotch Plains, NJ. The family expresses deep gratitude to Community Hospice of Schenectady, and the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center team for their care, compassion and support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the National Kidney Foundation, or the American Cancer Society.