James Albert Jensen

James A. Jensen, died Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at the Stormont Vail Flint Hills Campus Hospital surrounded by his family.

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois as the fourth child of James E. Jensen and Edna M. (Saunders) Jensen. Shortly after his birth, the family moved to Valparaiso, Indiana, where Jim graduated from Valparaiso High School in the Class of 1966.

Jim enlisted in the Army in 1967 doing Basic and AIT training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Upon completion of his training, he was shipped to Vietnam where he arrived just in time for his eighteenth birthday and the beginning of "TET".

Jim's first tour of duty was with the 299th Combat Engineer on a Gun Truck, which he was very proud of. During this tour he was involved in both the Battle of Dak To in November of 1967 and the Siege of Ben Het from May to July of 1969. For his actions during these engagements he was awarded the Presidential Unit Commendation and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry.

Jim's second tour was with the Big Red One where he assisted in the Closing and Return of Colors to Fort Riley. This Army base was where he finished his enlistment as a Sergeant.

In 1971 Jim joined the ranks of the Junction City Police Department as a Patrolman. During his ten years there he attained the rank of Patrol Sergeant. While with the police department he also received numerous awards and citations, further showing his dedication to duty and hard work.

In 1981, Jim went to work with the Geary County Sheriff's Office for Sheriff Jim Gross as a corrections officer and a deputy sheriff. Jim stayed with the Geary County Sheriff's Department going through the ranks and becoming Sheriff of Geary County in 2000, a role he continued to serve until his retirement in 2012. He proudly served the citizens of Junction City and Geary County for 42 years.

Along with his service to the community as an active member of law enforcement, he was also an active member of the American Legion Post #45, Kansas Sheriff's Association, and Life Member of the VFW and the American Legion overall. 

Jim met his wife Marianne through a blind date and married her on September 2, 1983. Together they had one daughter, Ashley Jensen Parker and the family has continued to grow with the addition of her and her husband Daniel Parker's three children, Braelyn, Kora, and Ethan.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, daughter, and grandchildren; as well as two sisters and their husbands Beverly and Gary Lass of Grand Lodge, Michigan and Jean and Jack Marler of Portage, Indiana.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Edna and a brother who died at birth.

Per Jim's request, cremation with burial to follow at the Kansas Veterans' Cemetery will take place on Friday July 17, 2026 at 11:00am with full military honors. A visitation will take place the day prior Thursday July 16, 2026 from 5-7:00pm at Johnson & Mass-Hinitt Funeral Home in Junction City, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to be made to the Kansas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Flag Fund c/o the Forty & Eight Honor Society with the Earl Gormley American Legion Post #45.