Jensen, Jerry, SFC

Jensen, Jerry E., 77, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission officer, died July 25. Celebration of life 10 a.m. Saturday (Resthaven, Oklahoma City).

Published in The Oklahoman, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Wednesday, July 29, 2015, Page 9A.


Jerry Elwyn Jensen was born October 29, 1937 in Oklahoma City, OK to Cecil & Lucille Kolb Jensen. He passed from this life Saturday, July 25, 2015. An above average student, he graduated from Classen High School in 1955. With the recommendation of Oklahoma Senator Mike Monroney, he received an appointment to the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He left the Naval Academy in January 1956 to enter the US Army. He completed the US Army Military Police School, Army Language School (Chinese-Mandarin); and served the US Army Intelligence Corp, the Army Security Agency where he received Top Security Clearance. On active duty until May 1967, he was evacuated from Vietnam following a parachuting accident. He miraculously survived a 3,000 ft. fall when his parachute failed to open. He always attributed his survival to his military training and to God. The military taught him to, "land on his feet and roll to the right". He believed God put him on this earth for a specific purpose. He was badly bruised, 1" shorter, pelvis broken in 27 places & tailbone shattered. Amazingly, he sustained no broken leg, arm, back or head injuries. He was in traction for months. Many of his health problems in later life were related to this fall & exposure to Agent Orange. He was a decorated war veteran awarded with military medals and honors too numerous to list. In 1967, he left the Army to join the Norman Police Force. During this time, he met the love of his life, Maudie Louise Riley. They married July 6, 1968. After serving two years, he left the police force to work as a Wage & Hour Investigator for the US Department of Labor in Baton Rouge, LA. In 1990, he was appointed Director of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for the state of OK. Returning to OKC, he served in this capacity until retiring in 1992. After a brief retirement, he accepted a position as Assistant to the Affirmative Action Officer for the University of Oklahoma. At the age of 53 he enrolled at OU, graduating in 1995 with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts. Upon receiving this degree, he was appointed Affirmative Action Officer for the University of Oklahoma working directly for President David Boren. He retired again in 2010. After only one year of retirement, President Boren asked him to return on a part-time basis. Honored at the request, he didn't hesitate & returned to work. He served in this position until his permanent retirement in 2013. He was 76 years old. Jerry was an extraordinary man, the epitome of a loyal patriot, proud veteran, faithful husband, loving father, devoted servant who put others before himself. He was witty with a great sense of humor. He will be missed. He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Maudie Louise; grandson, Patrick Jensen & wife, Shara; great-granddaughter, Vanessa Marley, who knew him only as "Papa"; sister, Janie Balthrop & husband, Charlie; nephews, Chad Balthrop & wife, Londa; and Chris Balthrop as well as numerous siblings, nieces & nephews of his wife, Maudie; & many more extended family & friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Vanessa Gail & parents, Cecil & Lucille Jensen. Jerry & Maudie are members of St. Andrews United Methodist Church. A Memorial Service will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, August 1, 2015, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 500 SW 104th, OKC. At the request of the family, donations may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project at www.woundedwarriorproject.org/donate. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Resthaven Funeral Home and Memory Gardens.

Worked as a Deputy Sheriff in El Paso County, Texas and City Police Officer for cities of Norman, Oklahoma and Baton Rouge, LA after leaving military service.  
Worked for federal government as a criminal investigator, investigator, senior investigator, director from 1969 to 1992.  Retired in 1992 and have worked for the University of Oklahoma since.  Retired from OU on May 31, 2009.  Called out of retirement in February 2011 and served OU until May 2012, while my replacement was deployed to Afghanistan with the Army National Guard.  Upon his return, I retired again and plan to stay retired this time.