Ervin Raymond Jensen

Ervin Raymond "Ray" Jensen, 94, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2014 in Houston. Born on April 26, 1919 in Tracy, MN, Ray grew up in St. Cloud, MN, attended the University of Minnesota, and graduated from the Minnesota School of Business. He was the elder son of Theodore and Nora Smestad Jensen. Ray's father, who immigrated from Dahl, Denmark as a teenager, worked as a real estate developer and became a prominent citizen in Pasadena, TX during the 40s and 50s. His mother, who came from a Norwegian immigrant family, passed away early in Ray's life. His father Ted married Ella Kisro Jensen many years later, and Ray grew very close to his beloved stepmother. In 1942 Ray married Myra Rose Ziebol of St. Cloud, MN, beginning a marriage that would last over 71 years. They had a daughter, Bonita Ann ("Bonnie"), and a son, Theodore Raymond ("Ted"). Prior to the US entry into WW II, through involvement with the Clayton Knight Committee, Ray joined the RAF Eagle Squadron, training as a fighter pilot. After the US entered the war, Ray left the RAF to serve in the US Army Air Corps as a glider pilot instructor in Goodland, Kansas. He transferred to the Navy in 1942, serving as a pilot in the Navy Transport Squadron, Pacific Theater. There, Lt. Jensen was decorated for heroism with an Air Medal. After the war, Ray retired from the Navy and moved his family to Pasadena, TX. After working in his father’s construction business for a few years, he began starting businesses of his own. He developed rental real estate; owned and operated a mattress business and a string of car dealerships, including Ray Jensen Buick in Houston; served as board Chairman for Subaru Inter-mountain in Denver, CO; founded Pasadena National Bank, co-founded Houston Republic National Bank and served 15 years as a director of San Jacinto State Bank of Pasadena; and had numerous partnership interests in energy ventures. In his spare time, Ray loved to spend time fishing in the area around Lake Livingston. In 1980, Ray and Myra moved to Scottsdale, AZ, a city they always loved and, as it turned out, a place where they could be close to their son Ted's growing family. Many dear friends were made during this time. There, Ray owned and operated Security Standard Life Insurance Company of Arizona. He also consulted and remained in the car business part-time. They remained there for over 20 years, returning to the Houston area for good in 2003. A member of the United Methodist Church of Shepherd, TX, Ray was active in the Masonic Lodge, Salvation Army, Shriners, and many other civic organizations. He attained the 32nd degree as a Mason. He was also a member of the Elks Lodge (Life Member) and the National Sojourners (past President of the Ellington Field chapter.) He served for 2 years as the president of the University of Minnesota alumni association (Houston chapter). A loving, kind, generous and compassionate man, Ray was a friend to many and a stranger to none. Strong yet gentle, and very wise, he found success in life by being a model of integrity and courage in all his relations, and by developing in himself keen business forethought and shrewdness in his endeavors as an investor, consultant, and finder world wide. He had a remarkable memory, and thus a gift for storytelling, and always seemed to have a trove of uproarious stories to brighten the day when together with friends and family. Another way in which his singular sense of humor showed is that he seldom called many friends by their real names, preferring to use nicknames of his own invention. His wit and immense spirit made an impression on almost everyone he met. Ray was predeceased by his brother Larry, sister Carmen Pung and her husband Donald, niece Dallas Pung Wasson, son-in-law Tommy Mosher, and great-grandson Shane Mosher. Left to cherish his memory are: his loving wife of 71 years Myra Ziebol Jensen and daughter Bonnie Mosher, both of Spring; son Ted Jensen of Phoenix; daughter-in-law Marilyn Jensen of Phoenix; nephew Douglas Pung and wife Helen, of Houston; and niece Kerry Jo Humphrey of Houston. He also leaves grandchildren Tom Mosher Jr. and wife Mary, of Austin; Dane Mosher and wife Ann Marie, of Austin; Justin Jensen and wife Emily, of Phoenix; Jenna Jensen of Phoenix; and Joel Jensen of Nashville, TN. Additionally he leaves 4 great-grandchildren: Ryan Mosher, Andy Mosher, Lance Mosher, and Brooklyn Jensen; numerous grand nieces and nephews, and many loving friends. The family would like to thank the entire staff at the Heights of North Houston for their love, compassion, and care during Ray's illness. A celebration of Ray's life will be held Saturday, April 5 at 2 PM at: Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home 1700 Normal Park Dr Huntsville TX 77340 (936) 291-7300 In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Ray's memory to the Salvation Army, 1500 Austin St., Houston TX 77002, or to another worthy charity. Online condolences may be offered at www.shmfh.com, where a complete tribute to Ray's life is also available to read.

Ervin Raymond Jensen

April 26, 1919 - April 5, 2014