Gerald Lee Jensen

O’FALLON, MO

  Gerald Lee Jensen, age 83, of O’Fallon, Missouri, went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Thursday, December 1, 2022 in his home, surrounded by his family. He was born in Lincoln, Kansas on June 2, 1939 to Leslie and Bernita Jensen (nee Wilbeck).

  Gerald graduated from Kansas State University in Manhattan KS where he obtained a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering. During school, he married his high school sweetheart Marilyn Tanner. During his senior year, they had their first child Michael.

  He started his career as an aerospace engineer at Boeing in Seattle where their second child, Angela, was born. Gerald’s work transferred him to New Orleans where they welcomed their third child Pamela.

  Work moved him once again to Huntsville where he worked on Space programs. Moving to St. Louis, Gerald went to work at McDonnell Douglas, working there for more than 25 years before retiring.

  While at McDonnell Douglas he worked on various fighter programs. The work he was most proud of was his effort on the Bird of Prey as co-designer. The Bird of Prey was a black-project aircraft, intended to demonstrate stealth technology. This demonstrator was flown successfully, and the proven technologies are likely still used on current stealth aircraft.

  Gerald was an avid fisherman and woodworker. He enjoyed working on and painting the family cars. He loved taking his family out in his pontoon on the Lake of the Ozarks. He especially enjoyed giving fishing lessons to anyone who enjoyed fishing as much as he did.

  Gerald is survived by his wife, Marilyn Jensen; son, Michael S. (Denah) Jensen; two daughters, Angela (Alan) Crook and Pamela (James) Minor; seven grandchildren, Danielle (Jeremy) Hanson, Logan Minor, Justin (Lyndsi) Crook, Jessica (Michael) Jones, Tyler (Bria) Jensen, Mikayla (Austin) Raney, and Jarred Minor; 11 great grandchildren and a host of other family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Bernita Jensen.

  Viewing: 4-6 p.m., Friday, December 9, 2022 at Hall Chapel, Lincoln, KS.

  Funeral service: 11:00 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 at Hall Chapel.

  Memorial contributions can be made to Samaritan’s Purse, c/o, Hall Chapel, PO Box 37, Lincoln, KS 67455. 

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