James "Jim" Jensen, Jr., age 81, a resident of Mesa, AZ, and formerly of the Village of Lakewood, IL and also formerly of Inverness, IL, died Tuesday, January 10, 2012, at Hospice of the Valley in Mesa. He was born January 25, 1930 in Chicago, IL.

Jim grew up in Chicago and first worked hauling coal and ice with his father. When his father became ill, he took care of him for 21 years. While in high school, he worked for his uncle at his car dealership. He then went to art school and worked for a display company. Then he found his true calling in the insurance business which he did until he retired. Outside of his career, he had a very active volunteer life including 20 years with Youth for Christ and 40 years on the board with Awana. He was also very involved in his church serving in various capacities. Jim had a great love of God, his family, music and serving others. He will be remembered for his gift of encouragement, his warm smile, his gentle touch and will be greatly missed. Welcome Home Jim, good and faithful servant.

He is survived by his wife, Jean (Hesson) Jensen of Mesa; his four children, Kim Jensen , Darryl (Kristi) Jensen, Dawn Zoellick and Brad (Cyndi) Jensen; five grandchildren, Cody, Amanda (Juan), Kendra, Savanna and Shelby; 2 great-grandchildren, Angel and Sophia, two step-children, Candice Hesson, Randy (Dyana) Hesson, one step-grandchild, Sydney; and his sister, Bernice (Harlan) Lunde.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marian Ann Jensen; and his sister, Dorothy Hansen.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 4-8 p.m. at The Orchard Evangelical Free Church, 1330 N. Douglas, in Arlington Heights, IL where a memorial service will be held on Monday, January 16, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be private at Mt. Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Awana, 1 East Bode Road, Streamwood, IL 60107-6658.