J. Theodore 'Ted' Jensen

J. Theodore “Ted” Jensen, Jr. ­ Mayor of Jenkintown Borough for 16 years J. Theodore “Ted” Jensen, Jr., a lifelong resident of Jenkintown, Pennsylvania, died Sunday, August 7, 2016 at the age of 91. Born on June 3, 1925 in Abington, Pennsylvania, Ted was the son of Theodore and Margaret Jensen, who brought him home to Summit Avenue where he resided for most of his life. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife and the love of his life, the former Dorothy Wilson, his parents and sisters Margaret Jensen and Betty Jensen Friedrich. During WWII, Ted enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps at the age of 17. He was called to active duty upon graduation from Germantown Academy in 1943, and after stateside training, he served the Corps in the Western Pacific theater of operations and the occupation of Japan. Ted was discharged from active service in the Spring of 1946, but remained in the Marine Corps Reserve until 1951. Following his active duty, Ted entered the Pennsylvania State College, now Penn State University, graduating in February of 1950 with a B.S. in Forestry. While at Penn State, he served on the School of Agriculture Student Council, was president of the Forestry Club and was a member of the Pi Kappa Phi fraternity. Upon graduation, he worked as a general foreman in the newly formed chemical spray division of the Asplundh Tree Expert Company, before being called back to the Marine Corps for the Korean conflict and ultimately receiving a second discharge in May of 1951. He then worked in sales with the United States Plywood Corporation, and as a field engineer and project manager for R.G. Werden & Associates, consulting engineers. Ted enjoyed a long history of volunteer emergency service, which included membership as a Jenkintown fireman since 1941. In the early 1950’s, he was active the Second Alarmers of Willow Grove. He served the Independent Fire Company as a Trustee and Trustee President for over 50 years as well as Fire Company for 25 years and Fire Chief for 12 years. He was a former Jenkintown Borough Fire Chief and Borough Fire Marshal and was a member and former President of the Jenkintown Volunteer Fireman’s Relief Association, life member of the Keystone State Fire Chief’s Association and 30 year life member of the International Fire Chief’s Association. In 1974, his association with the fire service led him into the sales and service of automotive fire apparatus with the Campbell Supply Co., Inc. of South Brunswick, NJ. In addition to sales, he served for many years on the Campbell Board of Directors. Considering it much more than a job, Ted had a deep dedication to, and was honored to be a part of, the growth and success of the Campbell Supply Co. family. Ted also enjoyed a number of other local civic activities, including election to and eight year membership on the Jenkintown Borough Council, serving two years as President, as well as election for four terms, totalling sixteen years, as Mayor of Jenkintown. Ted was also elected or appointed to a number of other activities, including membership on the Jenkintown Government Study Commission, Recreation Board and Chairman of the Shade Tree Commission. Over the years, he also served on the Branch Board of the American Red Cross, was a merit Badge Councilor for the Boy Scouts of America, a life member of the Old York Road Historical Society and served six years as a member and vice chairman of the Penn State School of Forest Resources Alumni Group Board of Directors. He belonged to the U.S. Marine Corps Association, was a member of Post 1711 of the Veteran of Foreign Wars and an officer of Post 163 of the American Legion. Ted was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Melrose Park and was a former member of the Congregational Council, serving on the finance committee. Ted is survived by his step children, Nancy W. Kenneff and Samuel K. Felton, and step grandson, John W. Kenneff, as well as the Coggin family, who he considered his own. He was loved by many, and will be missed by all. Relatives and friends may call on Friday Eve. 7 to 9 PM at the Joseph J. McGoldrick Funeral Home, Inc., 507 West Ave., Jenkintown. Funeral Services on Saturday 11 AM at St. John Lutheran Church, Old York Rd. and Melrose Ave., Melrose Park, PA. Interment will be in Whitemarsh Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, remembrances in Ted’s name may be made to the Old York Rd. Historical Society, 515 Meetinghouse Rd., Jenkintown, PA. 19046 or to a charity of your choice. Condolences: www.mcgoldrickfh.com