LeRoy Jensen

LeRoy Jensen, one of Laurel’s finest citizens, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, January 17th. A beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, uncle, and steadfast friend, LeRoy was always one with a witty and interesting story. He could charm a room with his sparkling blue eyes and his sense of humor like no one else. Anyone who knew him would describe LeRoy as a kind-hearted, honest gentleman who was full of faith and devoted to his family. A sharp-minded and inquisitive man, one could often find LeRoy working with his hands, whether it was fixing a leak or building a toy fire station in his woodshop. The son of Danish immigrants, Karen and John Jensen, LeRoy was born in Fairbury, Nebraska and moved to Laurel when he was ten years old. His parents founded Pure Creamery with E H Matthaides in 1942. LeRoy’s children loved knowing that he was able to secure a driver’s license at the tender age of 12 in order to drive the family milk truck to deliver dairy products throughout Jones County. The creamery was a family affair—his mother, his brother Carl, and his sister Anna—all held positions in the family business. A graduate of Laurel High School, LeRoy attended one year at the University of Southern Mississippi and then went to work for National Supply Company. Maureen Bowers became his bride in 1954, and thus began 59 beautiful years together. National Supply relocated them to Natchez shortly after, and their first son, Mark, was born there in 1956. They moved back to Laurel shortly after and built the first house on Crescent Hill Drive – the street they named. Their three other children, Mitchell, Matt, and Susan, were born in this house in 1958, 1959, and 1961, respectively. Mr. Jensen’s work for Oil Center Tool Company took him and his family to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Corpus Christie, Texas before returning to Laurel in 1971 when he and Buzz Bond bought Free State Tool Company, an oil field service company. LeRoy patented his invention, the spooling machine, during his tenure as co-owner of the company. His peers in the oilfield commented not only on Mr. Jensen’s great knowledge of the field, but also on his fine work ethic and sense of fairness. He enjoyed a very successful run in this company and sponsored the Oilman’s Golf Tournament every year. LeRoy loved fishing and always carried a fishing rod in the back of his car “in case he came upon a good pond.” He enjoyed deep sea fishing trips with his friends as well as fishing with his dear friend Gordon Myrick at his pond on his farm outside of Laurel. LeRoy retired in 1989 and enjoyed traveling with Maureen and their friends and family. He was also a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church where he served on the vestry and as Senior Warden. He was on the Board of the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and his charitable works included delivering Meals on Wheels and reading to children at Nora Davis School. The students’ faces lit up when he came to read to them. And, as anyone who knew him could imagine, they enjoyed the great stories he had to tell of Laurel’s rich history. Mr. Jensen is survived by his sons Mark of Laurel and Matt of Madison, his daughter, Susan Debonne of Pasadena, California, his daughters-in-law Jan and Patty, his son-in-law, Yann Debonne and his grandchildren Jeremy and Shayne Jensen, Christopher Joiner, Kimberly Rogers, Ross Jensen, Jensen and Elizabeth Debonne, and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, Mitchell, and his beloved wife, Maureen. The family wishes to thank the many dear friends who have helped make his passing as peaceful and gentle as one could hope: especially Gordon Myrick, Gina Gatewood, Ernetta Bunch and Julia Evans, and his doctors who went above and beyond the call of duty – Kimberly Dobbs, Mark Horne, and David Sullivan. Services will be at St. John’s Episcopal Church on Friday, January 23, with visitation beginning at 10:00 am and the service to follow at 11:30 am.

LeRoy Jensen

October 22, 1929 - January 17, 2015