Jim Christensen

Louis James “Jim” Christensen

October 26, 1928 ~ January 28, 2021

Jim was born October 26, 1928 to Audrey Clawson and Joseph H. Christensen in Salt Lake City, Utah.

At the age of three, Jim moved with his mother to live with his grandparents Clint and Anna Clawson in Castle Dale, Utah. It was here that he gained his love of horses. His first horse “Blackie” and dog “pups” were inseparable for many years. At the age of ten Jim’s mother married Willard O. Sandberg and they moved to nearby Huntington, Utah. Soon after arriving in Huntington, Jim’s half-sister Klarann “Ann” was born.

Jim made lifelong friends while in Huntington. He worked hard at the flour mill, theater and even sold his horse to attend Carbon Junior College in Price to play baseball. He was offered a position on the farm team for the Saint Louis Cardinals, but turned it down to attend the University of Utah.

He worked as a lathe operator at Christensen Machine Company with his father Joe and sold encyclopedias to put himself through college. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He worked for General Electric in Richland, Washington and was drafted into the Marine Corps.

After his military service, Jim returned to Salt Lake and continued dating Barbara Kraus, who worked at Christensen. They were married in 1957 and moved to California where he worked for Aerojet General doing wage administration. While there, they were blessed with two sons, Curtis and Todd. The family of four moved to Ogden, Utah where Jim worked for Amalgamated Sugar Company in industrial relations. Jim and Barbara were later divorced.

Jim’s uncle Frank Christensen convinced him to join the growing Christensen Diamond Products as their VP of Human Resources. In July of 1976 Jim married Marlene Hale, who he affectionately called “My Lady” and they were sealed in the Ogden Utah Temple in July of 1979. Marlene had three children Christine, Denece and David.

Marlene shared Jim’s love of horses and they purchased a ranch in Salina, Utah. Many good lessons and family memories were made here. Over the next forty-two years they lived in Ogden, Bountiful and Saint George, Utah and made lifelong friends in all locations. They valued travel and took every opportunity to experience what the world had to offer.

Family and friends were what Jim valued the most. He was generous, kind, loving and caring to all that crossed his path.

Jim was fortunate to be in good health up until two months before he passed away. On Thursday afternoon, January 28, 2021, Jim joined his “Lady” in heaven. He was preceded in death by his wives, Barbara and Marlene and half-sister, “Ann” Nebeker (Dan). He is survived by two sons, Curtis Christensen and Todd (Loralee) Christensen and three stepchildren, Chris Calver (Ann Maruri), Denece (Brad) Egbert and David Hill (Dominik Radwanski).  He was grandpa to Curtis’ children, Candice (Dre), Cameron (Kyenne), Aspen (Fran), Cami; Todd’s children, Brittany (Jason), Cassie, Danni; Chris’ children, Dax (Laura), Cole; Denece’s children, Tori, Lance (Brandy), Brandon (Jennifer), Melanie (Colby). He was great-grandpa to Annabelle, Makai, Royal; Lukas, Kelsey, Jackson, Claire, Oakley; Madison, Urban, Nicholas, Nathan; Logan, Chloe, Megan, Trystan, Isla. He was great-great-grandpa to Karlyn, Elyzabeth and Layla. He was uncle and great- uncle to Andrea (Charlotte) and Emily Nebeker.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Friday from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lakeview Cemetery, Bountiful, Utah.

Funeral services will be live-streamed at the bottom of Jim’s obituary.

To view Video Tribute: https://photos.app.goo.gl/zp1Ht17BTwdsJVsg9

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