Karl E. Jensen

He was born on September 15, 1959, in El Paso, TX, and is preceded in death by his daughter-in-law, Anne Marie Jensen; his father, Ralph Jensen; his brother-in-law, Paul Smith; and his nephew, Austin Smith. He is survived by his spouse, Carol Jensen, and his two sons, Kyle and Corey Jensen (spouse: Liz Jensen); his mother, Connie Jensen, and stepfather, Michael Wilczewski; his siblings, Coral Jensen (spouse: Zane Harwell) and family, as well as Ralph Jensen Jr. (spouse: Angie Rubattino) and family. Karl was grateful for his five amazing grandchildren: Charlie Costick, Kaylee Apperson, Khloe Jensen, Kai Jensen, and Costa Jensen. His great-grandchildren were Cory and Ian Costick—we are so pleased they got to know him!

Karl had an intensely intelligent engineering mind, taking apart and putting together engines from an extremely young age. His love of bikes, biking, and cars led him into a career of working on and fixing missiles and rockets all around the world. He was able to immerse himself in the cultures of a list of countries that we could not begin to name, from Dubai to a two-year-long stint in Thessaloniki, Greece, that influenced the rest of his and his family’s lives. Not only did he have an analytical mind, but he also had a great interest in horses, which would eventually lead him to his love, Carol, and also to becoming a top-of-his-class farrier.

Carol and Karl are a story of their own—maybe a novel will be written one day—but this love is at the heart of who he was as a person: the ultimate family man. To know Karl was to love him and respect him. He seemed to be everywhere at once: his grandkids’ soccer and softball games, fixing someone’s car or bike, driving a trailer to the outskirts of town, biking the mountains, having breakfast/lunch/dinner, visiting his mom, or just about anything that made him feel useful and alive. Karl was the definition of brave and kind, and although he had a quietness about him, his smile could light up a room and his frown could make you question yourself. He had an insistence on living in each moment, even in the worst of times, and he was unafraid to guide family members through the rough sides of life with an unwavering knowledge of their capacity to do so. He grew a bit better every day of his life and instilled that ability into his loved ones. Never still—his energy could have run the power structures of most large cities.

Karl’s family has elected to forgo any open memorial services at this time and during this grieving process. Your thoughts and energy are felt, and we are ever grateful for your care and love.

In the end, Karl was a selfless family man—best friend to his boys and an unrelenting, humble hero to everyone who had the fortune of knowing him. It is an unfathomable concept—him not being here with us…and yet he is. He is with us in the hard moments, lifting us up in laughter and in sorrow. We will feel and live in the strength and love that is his legacy. Mentor, brother, husband, father, grandpa, uncle, friend y más. Ever in our hearts…fly high with all who are there waiting for you. We will miss you so.