Obituary: Phillip Andrew Jensen

Phillip Andrew Jensen
June 26, 1922~Nov. 30, 2010
Phillip Andrew Jensen passed away on Nov. 30, 2010, at his home in Tucson, Ariz.
Phil was born in Price, Utah, on June 26, 1922, to William and Silvia Jensen. He grew up in and attended schools in Price, spending summers in Colorado working on his family’s sheep ranch with his father.
Phil attended the University of Colorado in Boulder from which he received a degree in business. When he was a senior at CU, Phil enlisted in the army where he was in the Army Air Corps. After pilot training in many locations across the country, Phil was based in Italy and flew many missions as the commander of a B-25.
Phil married Dorcas Sheridan in 1948. They had five children. For several years, Phil and Dorcas lived in Menlo Park, Calif., and he was a pilot for United Airlines. In 1953, Phil moved his family back to Meeker, where he worked with his father in the livestock business.
In later years, Phil developed real estate subdivisions in both Craig and Meeker, and apartments and office buildings in Meeker and Grand Junction.
Phil’s attitude was that wherever he was happened to be the best place in the world. He loved Meeker and its surroundings and people. He was civic-minded, serving on the school board, town council, county commission and on the county planning commission.
Phil enjoyed studying and reading, particularly about economics and history. He had a keen understanding of language and mathematics as well.
Phil was preceded in death by his wife Dorcas, and his son, Phillip, Jr. He is survived by his four daughters: Heather Jensen of Clifton, Colo.; Sylvia (Andy) Norell of Tucson; Margaret (Rocky) Pappas of Meeker; and Mary Ann (Jeff) Campbell of Phoenix; 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Phil enjoyed traveling. On family vacations he would always share information about the geology, geography, and culture of whatever area they visited. He was particularly fond of the desert southwest and moved to Tucson (which he said was the best place in the world) in 2007.
The family will have a memorial at a later date.