John Taylor Jensen

Died November 6, 2025 Eulogy delivered today, Nov 22nd 2025, at the funeral for our father. John Taylor Jensen was born on April 26, 1947, in Ogden, Utah, to Elva Arlene Taylor Jensen and Clark Jensen. He grew up in a home where hard work and resourcefulness were just part of life. There was always something growing in the backyard — fruit, corn on the cob, snap peas — and that’s where his love for fresh seasonal produce began. It’s funny how those small things stick with you. He passed that love on to all of his kids, and now it’s part of what we share with our own kids. Dad earned his bachelor’s degree from UNLV and went on to get his law degree from BYU. He worked for many years as a lawyer and later served in the Nevada courts as a Family Court Domestic Violence Commissioner, Hearing Master, and Special Projects Administrator. His work meant a lot to him, and he cared deeply about helping people find a path forward — even when the situations were complicated. Outside of work, Dad had plenty of interests that made him who he was. He loved golf, and when he wasn’t out on the course, he might be building a gun, fishing, or planning his next trip. Music was a big part of Dad’s life too. He liked to play guitar and sing the blues, and it wasn’t unusual for him to pull out his guitar during a visit. He even kept guitars at some of our houses so he could play whenever the mood struck. He also loved Karaoke, busting out Johnny cash or Elvis. Dad had six children — Nathan, Marie, Rebecca, Emily, Kaitlin, and Matthew — and four children-in-law, Mike, David, Tyler, and Christopher. He was also Grandpa to twelve grandkids, who brought him a lot of happiness over the years. Our dad lived life on his own terms and taught us, in his own special way, the value of working hard and pursuing your passions. Today, we’re grateful that he’s finally at peace and free from pain. We’ll miss him — his humor and the small moments that made him who he was. But we’ll also carry forward the pieces of him that live in us. We love you, Dad. Thank you for everything you gave us.