Jay Christensen

Jay Andersen Christensen 1917-2008

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother passed away Saturday April 5, 2008 while surrounded by his family in the home which he loved for forty-six years. Being the determined man he was, he fought to the very end. We will miss his warm companionship more than words could possibly say. With his gift of an amazing memory the vast knowledge he shared was a continual joy to us all.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of sixty-seven years Blanche, his daughter Marilyn (Swede), his son Dee (Tami), ten grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two sisters, and three brothers. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and one brother.

Born July 23, 1917 in a small dirt floored cabin in Bear River City, Utah, Jay was raised on the family farm where he lost his father Joseph to a lengthy illness in 1932. At barely fifteen, he stayed on for six years, helping support his family while working the farm, and helping his mother Carrie to care for most of his eight brothers and sisters. Jay was there when his youngest brother was born following his fathers death.

He was honored to marry the love of his life, Blanche Barker, on May 14, 1941 at her family''s home in Brigham City, Utah. This was to be a wonderful union, which survived a terrifying beginning and many stressful years, when Jay left at the threat of war only a short time afterwards. They were to see each other again only two brief times during the entire length of the war.

Jay was very proud of having spent four and one-half years in the U.S. Navy, where he served his country as a radar operator through the entirety of WWII. He spent most of the war helping to protect his aircraft-carrier, the USS Tulagi, from enemy attack during many major battles in the Pacific, as well as some time spent monitoring enemy aircraft flight patterns while manning a radar station in the islands of American Samoa. He loved to reminisce and share his many experiences from this period of his long life, including some remarkably good luck when he was spared the attack on Pearl Harbor; his aircraft-carrier having left there just days before. The vast number of places he was able to see, and the countless experiences he had were amazing to even himself. Jay had a passion for and read insatiably about the universe, and had a deep curiosity and love for all facets of nature.

After the war, he continued a career he had begun working for Union Pacific Railroad. He later took the role of car-inspector, and retired from that position in 1979. He saw many changes in that industry, they included the end of the era of the steam-engine. He enjoyed his twenty-nine years of retirement immensely, devotedly maintaining his yard, and spending all the time he could out of doors in the sunshine and warm weather he loved. (He also spent a good deal of time cursing the cold Utah winters).

It broke Jay''s heart when we buried his wonderful mother in 1979.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 11, 2008 at 11 AM, at the LDS 5th Ward Chapel, 3599 South Orchard Dr., North Salt Lake. Friends and family are welcome to call Thursday. April 10th from 6-8 PM at Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E and 9:45-10:45 AM at the church prior to services. Interment Bountiful City Cemetery.

The family wishes to express a very special thanks to the caring staff from Vista Care Hospice, particularly Mindi, Cherri, and Cynthia, as well as to Jean at Lakeview Hospital. More caring and gentle people could not be found. Finally; thank you to Jay and Blanches neighbors, who have done so much, and who have shown so much love in these final and difficult years. Condolences may be shared at www.lindquistmortuary.com