GARY JENSEN

1935 - 2014

Gary Glen Jensen, beloved husband of Sharon Jensen (nee Easthope) of Taber, formally of Pincher Creek, Stavely and Lethbridge, passed away in Calgary on Tuesday, August 8, 2014 at the age of 78 years.
A private burial service was held at the Taber Memorial Garden prior to the funeral service.
The Funeral Service was held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Taber Stake Centre, 4709 - 50 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, August 13, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. with Bishop Brock Campbell conducting.
Gary is survived by his loving wife of fifty five years Sharon Jensen, son Kyle (Tiffani) Jensen of Salt Lake City, daughter Shari (Darwin) Roscoe of Red Deer; grandchildren Kristin, Shae and Joel; step grandchildren Kate and Cameron; sibling Sharon (Garth) Hughes; brothers-in-law Norman Bullock, Reg (Luella) Easthope, Bryan (Karen) Easthope; sisters-in-law Hazel Jensen and Lori (Robin) Leigh. He is also survived by numerous special uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and long time friends.
He was predeceased by his mother Alyce, father Virgil, sister Betty Bullock and brother Don Jensen.
Gary was born November 25, 1935 in Taber to Virgil and Alyce Jensen and spent his early life working the oil patch as a rig worker, drilling superintendent and a mud engineer. At age thirty four he and his partners purchased the Taber Auction Market and owned it for ten years. Gary sold his share of the auction market in 1978 but remained working there, running the market, until a devastating fire burned the beloved market to the ground. He then took a job in Pincher Creek, with Community Auctions. Gary remained with them for one year at which time he took up cattle buying full time. In 1993 he and a colleague bought the Stavely Auction Market. He eventually sold his share of Stavely Auction Market, but remained in the area buying and selling cattle. Gary and Sharon then moved into Lethbridge and were there ten years. In 2013 they moved back to their hometown of Taber. Gary had a very interesting and exciting life in the cattle business. He tackled the computer age and learned how to buy and sell cattle from his office, which he really enjoyed. He was never afraid to try new things.
Gary’s passions included rodeo, fastball, playing music with the Four Jacks, auctioning, announcing rodeos and cattle buying. However, his true love was his time with his family, friends and beloved grandchildren.
On August 5, 2014 on his way back from Calgary, Gary had a massive heart attack while at the wheel. He was flown to Calgary by STARS but this time his heart just was not strong enough for him to come home.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes in Gary’s name may be made directly to STARS, 1441 Aviation Park NE, P.O. Box 570, Calgary, Alberta T2E 8M7 (www.stars.ca).