Marshall Kenneth Jensen

Jensen, Marshall Kenneth  
1984 ~ 2015
Marshall Kenneth Jensen, 31 years old, returned home to his Father in Heaven November 18, 2015 from complications of cancer treatments. Marshall passed peacefully in the loving presence of his wife and family members shortly after celebrating his 6th wedding anniversary in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where he was preparing for yet another experimental leukemia treatment. Marshall was born at home in Logan, Utah August 30, 1984, the fifth son of seven children (six brothers and a sister). He felt deeply and was often sentimental. He married his eternal companion, Amanda Joyce (AJ) in the fall 2009 and was thrilled when their son, Kezman, joined them in the summer of 2011. Marshall was the ultimate optimist and his enthusiasm for life encouraged others to also "Marshall On". Amanda called him her "ballistic optimistic".
He was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons) and held many religious callings where he served with gladness and joy. Marshall loved scriptures and studied many holy works including the Book of Mormon, the Holy Bible, the Quran, and the Baghvad Gita. He loved linguistics and languages and learned to sing in Urdu as one of his ways of singing praises to the Lord. He especially loved books about Christ and God. C.S. Lewis and many other inspiring authors were on his read list.
Marshall loved children – he was especially attached to his son, Kezman, who called his daddy "my buddy", his many nieces and nephews, his guitar students and the primary children he served as primary music leader.
At the time of his death Marshall was an operations manager with CreditRepair.com and had previously worked in a supervisory position at Lexington Law Firm. Marshall loved the people he worked with and they reciprocated by valuing him back.
Marshall appreciated his caregivers, especially the unfailing support of his precious Amanda. Marshall's ability to make friends extended to his physicians and medical care staff at LDS Hospital, MD Anderson-Houston and at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP). He insisted that gourmet chocolates and treats were always on hand in his hospital room for his caregiving teams.
Marshall always wanted to squeeze the most out of life. He loved music, the outdoors, sports [especially the Utah JAZZ], surprises and serving others. He was always looking for the next service project and was a blood and platelet donor. When blood cancer interrupted his life he had a scholarship and was on the road to completing a law degree. He augmented his income by teaching guitar lessons and fed his soul by performing as often as possible. He particularly loved getting together for jam sessions. Though he was drawn to Jazz and Blues he had an eclectic enjoyment of many musical styles. Since Jr High Marshall has been a member of numerous bands and musical groups of different genres, including rock, folk, country and religious music. Music fed him and consoled him and he wishes it to comfort and inspire us. Marshall was always anxious to learn – especially when it came to acquiring new musical skills. In addition to acoustic and electric guitar, he played bass guitar, keyboard and drums.
He had many talents, but the pastime he enjoyed most was music. When hospitalized his favorite guitar was always nearby and he couldn't wait to write the next song.
His first guitar teacher called him a "musical freak of nature" which delighted and encouraged him. Also a great lyricist, Marshall left us many, many original songs where he is the wordsmith, musician, arranger and often the producer. The creation of a song sometimes came in one sitting. Other times, he would have the melody and wait for the words – or have the words and was just waiting for the melody to soar into his consciousness. Music was also a collaboration for him – hence his love of jam sessions. His favorite collaboration was writing and performing music numbers with his wife Amanda. Often it was Amanda supplying the lyrics while Marshall provided the score.
Those who got to know Marshall know that music permeated his being – his most cherished goal was to fill the hearts of others with the music of hope, love, and trust in the Savior. To read his testimony in word and song go to http://www.marshalljmusic.com/my-testimony.html.
Marshall is survived by his wife, Amanda; son, Kezman; parents, Keith V and Lucile (Reese) Jensen; brothers, Justin (Gloria), Barry (Julie), Jordan (Kelly), Tyrel (Melanie); sister, Tori Perez (William); grandparents Frank Pond Reese and Elaine Jensen; his adored nieces and nephews;   and many more grieving relatives and friends. Preceded in death by his brother Conrad, grandmother Catherine (Bagley) Reese and grandfather Victor R. Jensen.
Marshall – often referred to as "miracle man" – had an ardent passion for life and cheated death many times in his 31 earthly years starting in 1997, where at the tender age of 12 he amazed his physicians by awaking from a life threatening coma induced by traumatic brain injury with all his abilities and talents intact. During his valiant four year fight with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (A.L.L.) medical caregivers were astonished time after time as he beat the odds when there appeared to be no chances left. To the last, doctors were heard to say after giving a hopeless prognosis "but this is Marshall, anything is possible".
To the end, Marshall was orchestrating a majestic symphony. Though it was hard to let him go, Marshall sweetened the melody and organized the harmony by resting with us here long enough for his family to gather and say goodbyes.
Marshall wishes to let those who cherish him know that their prayers kept him going when it seemed his body could continue no longer. However, he is now ready to reunite with loved ones in heaven. He desires your continued prayers in support of his wife, his cherished son, Kezman, and his family whom he loves more than life itself. They are his music and music is his soul.
A service to celebrate his life will be held Monday, November 30, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 1335 West 1500 South, Woods Cross, UT 84087. Viewings will be held at the same address from 9-10 am prior to the service and Sunday evening, November 29th, from 6-8 pm. After the service, interment will be at Mountain View Memorial Estates Cemetery, 3115 E 7800 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84121
In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Marshall's dearest loves, Amanda and Kezman, at one of the following: online at https://pages.giveforward.com/funeral_memorial/page-hjh2rb4/ or The Marshall and Amanda Family Trust at any Wells Fargo Bank. You may also contribute to a college fund for his Kezman by donating to the "Marshall Jensen Memorial" account at Mountain American Credit Union.