Jay Christensen

Jay Harvey Christensen

October 2, 1929 - October 12, 2022

Jay was born in Downey, Idaho (actually in the farm house in Virginia, Idaho) to Edsel Christensen and Edith Egan Christensen. He was the fifth born of 13 children (HOLY COW!!!). He attended school in Downey and worked on the family farm. In addition, he helped the neighbors with potato harvest.

In 1948 he met the love of his life, Uvonne Christensen (and no they were not related). While on the hunt for a bag of pine nuts, he stopped by her house to borrow a dime from her sister. With a long history of pulling stunts, (e.g., swiping chickens and hiding in the apple orchard to roast them for a free Sunday feast; releasing a turpentine cat in the school dance, and tipping over an occupied outhouse) she married him anyway. They were sealed on September 7, 1949 in the Salt Lake Temple. This union was blessed with 8 children known as the GJ’s: Greta Joy, Gloria Jean, Gale Joyce, Gary Jay, Gordon Joe, Glenda Jane, Gregory John, and Gerald James. Jay could always count on their dad for a good prank. One of their fondest memories of dad was him giving piggy-back rides. He dedicated every day of his life to the growth, prosperity, and well-being of his family.

The first three years of their marriage he worked on a ranch in Hawkins Basin. After that they moved to Pocatello where he had various jobs (e.g., driving truck for Coke Cola and maintenance at Idaho State University). He then found a career as a pump technician at the J.R. Simplot plant north of Pocatello where worked for 42 years.

Jay was not a perfect man, but he will be up there with the best of them. His body was used hard but his heart was big and soft. He was generous with his time and completely devoted to his family. If someone needed help, being a jack of all trades and master of many, Jay was there. He and his wife had a huge garden each year and generously shared the bounty with neighbors, friends, and strangers alike.

Jay lived a life of service. He had many church callings, from dance director (mom says he wasn’t good at all), scout master, Elder’s Quorum president, and home teacher. He assisted in the construction of the new church building on 4th and Fredregill and later served as the building maintenance (for 14 years). He could always be counted on to cook, prep or serve meals for the monthly ward dinners. He would tell you one of his favorite activities was to putting on the red suit and beard and playing St. Nick for family, many churches, and school groups.

He was an amazing hunter and fisherman. He would tell you stories of his trophies, which by the way, got better with every telling. He never came home empty handed.

Later in life, his greatest joy was his grandkids (he was grandpa to every kid that came into the house). He delighted in passing out Dum-Dums (suckers that is) but NOT in paying the dental bill. The kids would come through the door and the first thing they did was find grandpa for their treat.

Jay is preceded in death by innumerable family and friends. While he will be missed by those left behind, he will be having a great reunion with each of them. Jay will never be forgotten. He is now sleeping with the angels. We love you, honey, daddy, grandpa, and brother.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at 1 pm at the LDS Century Ward Chapel, 2271 S. 4th Ave. Pocatello, ID, with a viewing for one hour prior. Burial will follow at the Arimo Cemetery.

Luncheon will be proved for all at 2:00 pm in the church gym. We will leave at 3:15 pm to drive to Arimo for graveside services at 3:45pm.

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