Bryant Alfred Jensen

Bryant Alfred Jensen, age 84, passed away peacefully at home, Sunday, April 9, 2017. He was born Feb. 21, 1933, in Burley, Idaho, to Alfred Jensen and Edith Adelia Nye. Bryant married Beverly Gwen Carroll Feb. 28, 1958 in the Salt Lake Temple.
He loved his family, music, carpentry, the gospel and was a true friend. He enjoyed their cabin in Brighton and shared it with everyone.
Bryant grew up on a farm in Burley, Idaho. After graduating high school and one year of trade school in Boise, Idaho, he was drafted into the army to serve in the Korean War. After a few months, his father passed away and he received an honorable discharge so he could return home to run the family farm. He didn’t particularly like cows and decided at an early age he would make his vocation in some other area. In 1963, he opened BJ Realty and closed its doors 32 years later in 1995.
He always loved swimming and learned to swim in the Snake River. As a teen, once a week, he and his friends would drive to Declo (9 miles from Burley) and spend half a day swimming back home. He was so buoyant you absolutely could not sink him.
Bryant liked music and played several instruments by ear. While in the 3rd grade, his teacher taught the class how to play harmonica. This became a lifelong passion. He played around the campfire, in a band, and in his later years he taught a harmonica class at the local senior center. He enjoyed sharing his musical talent and telling poems. For many years he performed at care centers, nursing homes, senior centers and the blind center. He always wanted to spread a smile through his performances.
In his own words, on meeting his wife: “I went to a dance, got into a mixer at which time I met a beautiful girl named Beverly Carroll. We continued to date practically every night, mostly going to dances and I began to realize this was the girl I wanted to share eternity with. After 2 1/2 months I decided to give Beverly a ring.”  They had four children together. With every single child, Bryant got a speeding ticket, either in route to the hospital or getting back home to share the good news.
Bryant loved the gospel and serving in his church callings. He worked in the Salt Lake Temple Baptistery for over 18 years.  He especially loved serving in the Special Needs Mutual and as a Sunday school teacher. He and Beverly served a mission together as CES teachers sharing the gospel with students at the Hartvigsen School and Columbus Work Center.
Bryant was known as the Gummy Bear Grandpa. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed.
He is survived by his wife Beverly, his children Leonard (Jill) Jensen, Lorin D. Jensen, Shelly (Gary) Neuenswander, Connie (Jeff) Tilk, 9 beautiful grandchildren, 1 great-grandchild and his sister Anna Ruth Christensen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Edith Eldene Allen.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 18, 2017, at the Holladay 10th Ward building:  4601 So. 2565 East, Holladay, UT. There will be a viewing 1 hour prior to the funeral service. Friends may also visit with the family at a viewing on Monday, April 17, from 6-8 p.m. at Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 Highland Dr., Holladay, UT. Many thanks to his sweet and wonderful hospice workers.  Interment will be at Holladay Memorial Cemetery 4900 So. Memory Lane.
Service Information
Viewing April 17, 2017 at 6:00-8:00 PM
Memorial Holladay-Cottonwood Mortuary, 4670 South Highland Drive, Holladay, Utah 84117





Viewing April 18, 2017 at 10:00-10:45 AM
Holladay 10th Ward, 4601 Chapel Drive (2565 East), Holladay, Utah





Funeral Service
April 18, 2017 at 11:00 AM
Holladay 10th Ward, 4601 Chapel Drive (2565 East), Holladay, Utah