Owen Jensen Obituary

God welcomed Owen E. "Juice" Jensen's passage into his new adventures in Heaven on Friday, August 16, 2013. He was and will continue to be a most amazing man to his family and friends. Owen's first priority in life was to be a good husband, father and leader for his family. He is survived by wife of 24 years Terryl Whitmore Jensen, and children: Jennifer Jensen Kirkham (Marty), Kai Jensen (predeceased 2011), Liberty Whitmore Lewis and Hunter Whitmore Lewis. Also, his brothers, Curt Jensen (Patricia), Ken Jensen (MaryLou), sister Rita Jensen Goodwin (Frank), Uncle Paul Curtis (Joyce), in-laws Cindy Michelich (Bill), Danielle Thomas, Laurie Polk (David), and Michele, John and Robert Whitmore and many cousins. After the blending two families in 1989 - Owen became Uncle to 28, great Uncle to 12, brother-in-law and instigator of all adventures for the clan. Owen was born in Santa Monica, CA February 23, 1947. At 11 years of age he and siblings were moved to Champaign, Il after the death their mother Genevieve "Jenny" Curtis Jensen. His father was Kai "Bob" Robert Jensen. Owen graduated University of Illinois 1969 with honors and was commissioned as an Air Force 2nd lieutenant. Juice began his Air Force career as a fighter pilot. In 12 years, accumulating 3000 flying hours primarily in the single seat delta wing F-106, earning a Command Pilot badge and "you did what?" stories. Upon receiving a Masters degree in International Affairs/Strategic Planning and French from Defense Language Institute, Juice was assigned as Assistant Military Air Attache with the US Embassy in Ottawa Canada. Juice's AF years concluded with AF Space Command Headquarters beginning 1986, Pentagon 1990, commander 73rd Space Group operating a global space surveillance network 1992. And, in 1993 Colonel Jensen had the honor as Vice Commander reactivating the 14th Air Force Flying Tigers Space Command. Juice retired from AF Colonel 1996 with a Master Space Badge. These years of assignments and travel brought him and his family world-wide and lifetime friends. After 14 years with Lockheed Martin, Juice retired Director of Business Development for Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company 2009. Juice worked tirelessly to "fill the parking lots" with contract wins, while mentoring and inspiring young professionals. Juice preached the importance of pursuing engineering and technology passionately. Juice loved living in Colorado. He spent hours fly-fishing, golfing, barefoot running, hiking, climbing 7 mountains he could see from his deck, sailing Ojomojo, white water rafting, tap dancing, organizing museum tours and dinners, appreciating music from Mozart-Country, reading American western history and had the best pirate accent ever. Although Owen battled valiantly against 3 types of cancer beginning 2006, he never allowed it to define him. Even though the prostate, thyroid and esophageal cancer bastards persisted, we all learned from his strength, tenacity and positive survival spirit. We release him in peace and love. Services: Woodmen Valley Chapel, 290 E Woodmen Road, Colorado Springs, CO Friday, August 30th, 10:00am. In lieu of flowers or food, you may donate to the charity of your choice or send donations for the Owen E "Juice" Jensen Engineering Scholarship Fund c/o Credit Union of Colorado, 3606 Austin Bluffs Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80919, Acct # 2251490.