J. Allen Jensen

Joy Allen Jensen, 89, a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather died Friday evening, December 21, 2012, at the Bruns Home in Alamo, California, from causes incident to age. He was born January 28, 1923 in Manti, Utah. He was the eldest of two sons born to Joy Lynn Jensen and Helen Maude Merriam. Allen grew up and attended school in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he was a graduate of East High School. He was married to Judith Sorensen on December 27, 1943. Allen qualified for Officer Training and a pilot slot in the US Army Air Corp, where he served during World War II as First Officer on B-24s and B-29s. After the war, Allen attended University of Washington, graduating in Mechanical Engineering. A succession of jobs brought his family to Danville California where he began working at the Livermore Radiation Laboratory now the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He would spend a total of 35 years working within the National Laboratory System, including working as a test engineer during the atmospheric nuclear testing in the Bikini Islands. Towards the end of his career his responsibilities shifted to support the disarmament process and he was part of a team which oversaw nuclear decommissioning safety procedures. He also reviewed and declassified the personal work papers of Nobel Laureate Glen Seaborg. Family came first to Allen. He was always very involved in his children's and grand-children's activities. He could fix anything. He loved flying, boating on the Delta, and everything to do with cars. He also loved gardening, maintained a beautiful yard, and was a talented woodworker and craftsman. He taught and exemplified honor, hard-work and integrity. He spent his life in the service of his family, his country and his Church. He is survived by his wife of 69 years Judith Sorensen Jensen; five children and their spouses: John and Allyn Joy Palmer of Livermore, CA, Ron and Jane Hanson of Calgary, Canada; Val and Dorothy Stephens of Sacramento, CA; Jim and Peggy Jensen of Minneapolis, MN; and Robert and Debbie Jensen of San Ramon, CA; 25 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Glenn Jensen of Salt Lake City, UT. Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 29, 2012, at the Sycamore Building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Danville, CA. The family will greet friends Friday evening from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm at the Oak Park HIlls Chapel 3111 N. Main St., Walnut Creek, and at the Sycamore LDS Church on Saturday from 10:00 am to 10:50 am. Following the funeral, burial will be in the Oakmont Cemetery in Lafayette, CA Visitation Saturday, December 29, 2012 10:00 am-11:00 am Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 655 Old Orchard Drive Danville CA 94526 Visitation Friday, December 28, 2012 06:00 pm-08:00 pm OAK PARK HILLS CHAPEL 3111 N. MAIN ST. Walnut Creek CA 94597 Funeral Service Saturday, December 29, 2012 11:00 am Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 655 Old Orchard Drive Danville CA 94526