Vere Jenson

Vear Lee Jenson 1919 – 2006

Vear Lee Jenson returned home with honor August 20, 2006. He was born to Orestus Osey and Amanda Johnsen Jenson August 2, 1919 in Bear River City, Utah. He married Betty Lou Jones November 9, 1939 in the Logan LDS Temple. They are the parents of three sons.

Vear joined the U.S. Army Air Corps and trained as a navigator on B-24s. He served in Europe during WWII, and flew 24 missions, including two on D-Day. Vear was a decorated veteran, and was a proud member of the ?Caterpillar Club?, earning four Bronze Stars and an Air Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters. At the conclusion of the war, he was honorably discharged as a 1st Lieutenant.

Vear was a man of integrity with a sense of justice and the desire to protect the little guy. His professional career included five years with the IRS, followed by 33 years with Western General Dairies. He served as President of the South Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce in 1965. He retired from his position as Controller and Industrial Relations Manager of the Dairy in 1984.

Following his retirement, Vear volunteered in ten different not-for-profit organizations, working mostly on problems facing seniors. He spent many springs preparing tax returns on a volunteer basis for the poor and elderly, and was a driving force behind Utah?s Living Will legislation.

Vear also knew how to have a good time. He was a baseball dad, and obtained a charter for and organized a WBBA Little League for boys in 1953. He served as the League?s president for eight years. A player himself, he was awarded the MVP award at the 1954 all-church softball tournament.

Former members of the Oakridge, Fort Douglas Hidden Valley and Cottonwood Country Clubs, Vear and Betty spent many years enjoying golf, tennis, and bridge together. Their favorite way to spend a weekend was dancing, and they were members of the Hi-Steppers and the Saturday Night Dance Club.

Affectionately known as ?Burr? to his grandchildren, he will be remembered for his quick humor, gentle disposition, generous heart, and killer orange juice smoothies.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Floyd, Merle, and Max; sister Gayle Warr; son Don; and great-granddaughter Isabel. Vear is survived by his loving wife Betty of Salt Lake City; brother Frank Ila of Bear River City; sister Donna Jay Wight of Northridge, California; sons Scott Ann Jenson of Holladay and Cory Cindy Jenson of Salt Lake City; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at noon on Saturday, August 26 at the Foothill 7th LDS chapel, 2215 Roosevelt Avenue in Salt Lake City. Friends may greet the family at a viewing at the church preceding the services from 10:15 until 11:30. Interment in the Larkin Sunset Lawn cemetery under the direction of Russon Brothers Funeral Home. Full military honors will be provided at the graveside. The family wishes to thank the staff at the Utah State Veterans Nursing Home in Salt Lake City for their kind and attentive care to Vear these past months. Online guest book and directional maps available at www.russonmortuary.com