John Farrel Jensen Jr.

John Farrel Jensen Jr. was born on June 17th, 1962 in Long Beach, CA, the son of John Farrel Jensen and Mary Ellen Gay-Guyett. He was raised with five sisters and 1 brother, Patricia, David, Kathryn, Mary, Carolyn, and Deborah. He grew up in Long Beach, CA, and attended Dominguez Elementary School. The family would eventually return to the Cookson Area they originated from. John graduated from Talking Leaves Job Corp in 1979. He then returned to Long Beach and joined Steam/Pipefitter Union # 250 in Gardena. He soon returned to Oklahoma transferring to Steam/Pipefitter Local #344 in Oklahoma City, OK.

From a young age he did BMX motorcycle and skateboard racing. He showed a daredevil spirit, walking on fences, and never showing fear. Another passion was working with and riding horses, which led to his apprenticeship as a farrier.

John was a self-taught musician; he learned to play by ear, eventually moving on to writing his own music and lyrics. He performed as lead guitar, bass, and piano. He played with local bands near his home in California.

John was also a member of the Screen Actors Guild-SAGAFTRA, performing in commercials, movies, documentaries and plays. He was proud of his Native American heritage and the acting roles he portrayed as John Ross in the Trail of Tears, a heroic legacy as well as the Cherokee “Dragging Canoe” in Under the Cherokee Moon at the Cherokee Nation Heritage Center. He loved his acting career and friendships made there, especially Monty Montana, legendary stunt man, and Native American actor Adam Beach.

John’s sense of humor was always right on and his wit was unsurpassed. He possessed a famous grin, and though quiet, was always friendly and went out of his way to help others whenever he could. He maintained a lifelong friendship with the Mr. Bill Fellowship.

On April 23rd, 2010, he married Deborah Jennings, and together they enjoyed many happy memories together. He was the proud father of three sons and two daughters, Adam, MaryEllen, Ezekiel, Ashley and Josh. He was always very proud of his children and grandchildren and all they accomplished. John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the time of his passing on September 15th, 2023 in Tahlequah, OK. He was 61 and will be remembered for all the love and devotion he showed his family as well as his many friends and loved ones.

John is preceded in death by both parents and stepfather James Ralph Guyett, grandparents, Ted Gay and Maggie LuLu (Ratliff) Gay, and grandfather, John Farrel Jensen, step grandfather Keith Orr, and sister Carolyn Jensen Finch.

Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 13 years Deborah Sue (Jennings) Jensen, son Ezekiel and step-daughter Ashley Paulhamus of the home they made and enjoyed many happy memories together; sons Josh Autrey and wife Sara, Adam and wife Shelby, MaryEllen Jensen and partner Corey Slaughter II of Oklahoma City and 5 grandchildren; Remi, Owen, Jet, Corey III, and Lailani. He leaves his brother and sisters, Patricia Cordova of Tahlequah, David Jensen and wife Linda of Paulden, AZ, Kathryn Chumley of Tahlequah, Mary Kwolek and Larry VanNoy of Glendora, CA, and Deborah Jensen Murphy of Tahlequah, along with step-brother, Keith Guyett of Tahlequah and grandmother, Marva (Christiansen) Orr of Rancho Palos Verde, CA. He lives on in his grandchildren, Corey Slaughter III, Lailani Slaughter of Oklahoma City, Jet Bear Jensen of Oklahoma City, Remi Autrey of Oklahoma City, and Owen Autrey of Oklahoma City as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

A Celebration of the Life of John Farrel Jensen Jr. will be held on Monday, October 2nd, 2023 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church of Tahlequah with Reverend Cody C. Robinson officiating. John will be laid to rest at Pettit Cemetery with the rest of his family. Honorary pallbearers for John include David Jensen Sr., David Jensen Jr., Leon Autry, Billy Foster, Michael Cordova, Joel Finch III, and Jason Santana.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Jensen family.