Blair native James R. Jensen, 80, of Bridgeport, died Thursday, Feb. 19, 2009, at Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff.

Services will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, at All Souls Catholic Church in Bridgeport. Interment will be at Oregon Trail Memorial Cemetery.

James R. Jensen was born Jan. 8, 1929, in Blair, to James G. and Madolin (Richter) Jensen.

Known as "Junior" to his family, he graduated from Blair High School in 1946. He enlisted in the military right after graduation and was stationed at Guam in the Phillipines. After his tour, he came back to Nebraska and went to work for Goodyear Rubber Company at night and studied at the University of Nebraska by day and graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was hired with the Nebraska Department of Roads and finished his career with them as the District 6 Engineer for western Nebraska. He worked for 41 years with the last 29 in Bridgeport as the District Engineer for the western part of Nebraska and retired in 1995.

He married Elizabeth "Betty Jo" Smith April 7, 1959, at Saint Mary's Catholic Church in Lincoln.

Mr. Jensen loved finding a good deal on cars and traveling everywhere by road. He loved the journey as much as the destination. Not one to be tied down, he enjoyed living the cowboy and Native American way of life. There was not a museum or historic site he had not toured. He loved living in western Nebraska with the life it offered. He was one of the first to love riding his Harley Davidson as a young man. He loved guns, trapshooting, hunting, fishing, fireworks and golfing.

He was one of great intelligence and great sense of humor. He enjoyed cooking, company of friends, his family and debating politics - - being known as Senator Jensen. Being raioed during the Depression, he reeked of conservatism, but was very generous and caring toward people without. He celebrated 80 years of good, honest life. He lived life the way he wanted and left the same way. He was a friend to many, always calling, visiting, or lending a helping hand. He was never one to judge, but one to help fix.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer R. and Tom Troxel of Torrington, Wyo., son and daughter-in-law, James L. and Dayla Jensen of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren; sisters, Phyllis Bellows of Omaha, and Kathy Vinton of Beaufort, N.C., and brother, Raymond Jensen of Blair.

James was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years, Betty Jo; brother, Richard Jensen and many cherished friends and relatives.