Kirtley William Jensen

Kirtley William Jensen, age 79, passed away March 10, 2025, at his home in Price.

He was born September 4, 1946, in Axtell, Utah to Ivan and Arzell Simmonson Jensen.

Married Jane Blackett in 1977 and they had a son Zack Jensen. She passed away March 10, 2007. He later married Beth Marie Christensen in 2011, and they later divorced.

Kirtley was raised on his grandparents family farm in Axtell. He graduated from Gunnison Valley High School. After graduation he followed his parents to Price, Utah and attended Carbon College. While attending college he was employed by PR Jensen & Sons Construction during the summers for eight years.

Kirtley was drafted into the US Army in 1966 and went to Fort Hood, Texas as military police. He was later sent to Vietnam. In 1968 he returned home and completed his schooling at Carbon College graduating with an Associate of Science. Kirtley went on to the U of U and completed his degree in 1974 in sociology with an emphasis in criminology. He spent time working for his previous construction company and then was challenged by a longtime golfing friend (an employee for the D&RGW Railroad) to get an “honest job”. Kirtley started as an engineer for the Rio Grande Railroad in Salt Lake City, Utah, Grand Junction, Colorado, Denver, Colorado, and finally back to Helper, Utah where he retired after 36 years. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Survived by his son, Zack (Sarah) Jensen; sister, Karen Urbanik; numerous nieces, nephews and a community of friends.

Preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Andrew “Lou Don” and Terry Jensen; wife, Jane Jensen.

Memorial service, Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 11:00 a.m., Fausett Mortuary (680 East 100 South) in Price, where the family will receive friends one hour prior. Interment, Evergreen Cemetery (1997 South 400 East) in Springville. Arrangements are in the trusted care of Fausett Mortuaries where family and friends are always welcome and may share memories online at www.fausettmortuary.com.