Jensen, Jack and The Rhythm Pals

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Origin: Prince Rupert, British Columbia (Jack Jensen); New Westminster, British Columbia (Rhythm Pals)
Biography:

Jack Jensen was an expressive, energetic, and loving individual. To everyone around him, he was a compassionate and caring man, and he willingly shared that joy with those around him. For Jack, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. He really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

His parents were Modin and Olga Jensen. Jack was born August 16, 1924 and was raised in Prince Rupert, British Columbia. He was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. He showed talent from a very young age and taught himself to both sing and play guitar. He couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. Jack was raised with 3 siblings. He had one older brother, Emil, and two older sisters, Solly and Blanche.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Jack very easy to approach. He was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

Jack married Dorothy Milner in 1945 in Vancouver, BC at the age of 21. They lived in Ontario and British Columbia throughout their 54 year marriage. He was a devoted and loving husband throughout their life together, loving and caring for Dorothy right up until she passed in 1999.

Jack and Dorothy were blessed with 4 children - one son, David, and three daughters, Linda, Karen and Angela. He had a huge heart and no matter how busy life became, his children were always a very important part of his life. Jack always made sure they knew how much he loved them throughout their entire lives.

Jack was fortunate to have twelve grandchildren, and 9 great grandchildren. From son David Jensen, married to Carol he had grandson Paul (Jeanette); grandson Blair (Angie), great grandchildren Alex and Liam; grandson Robert (Wendy), great grandchildren Evan and Colin. From daughter Linda Jensen, married to Wayne, he had granddaughter Leone Greenland, great grandchildren Makenna and Brandon; and grandson Todd Greenland (Terra), great grandchildren Lila and Adilyn. From daughter Karen Harpur and husband George, he had granddaughter Tanya, grandson Kyle, granddaughter Caitlin, and grandson Shawn. From daughter Angela Proud and husband Ken, he had granddaughter Jenessa Murphy (Billy), great grandson Liam, grandson Ryan and grandson Jackson. As a father, grandfather, great grandfather he was loving, gentle, compassionate and always greatly concerned for their happiness. Jack always made his family feel loved and important to him throughout his entire life.

Later in life Jack met Dorothy Rennie who became a significant part of his life in 2004. She became a part of his family and Jack was fortunate to spend the last eight years with this wonderful, compassionate, loving partner and her children, Cheryl, Brenda, Shannon, Heather and Robert. His family will be forever grateful that Jack found love a second time in his life and was able to enjoy his later years with her.

At work, as in life, Jack was a real “people person.” He had a very warm way of dealing effectively with others, and his enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. He made many dear lifelong friends both professionally and in everyday life over his 88 years and it was important for him to keep in touch throughout his life with as many friends as he could.

On the professional side Jack was an outstanding performer whose legendary voice gave the country music group The Rhythm Pals their distinctive sound. He has been called “a true son of British Columbia”, and is described by many as a generous person, a gentleman and a dedicated family man.

Jack had become one of Canada’s premier performers in the Canadian entertainment scene. As a young man Jack began his career on radio in 1943 at the local radio station C.K.M.O. in Vancouver where he went to sing and play his guitar. His beautiful voice quickly made him a regular and he formed his first group called Jack Jensen and the Western Wonders and performed on a radio show called Bill Rea’s Roundup which moved to CKNW in New Westminster in 1944. In 1946 Jack together with Mike Ferby and Marc Wald formed The Rhythm Pals. From there they were one of the first Canadian acts to appear on U.S. television. They starred on CBC radio and television in their own series, Burns Chuckwagon, and were part of the regular cast of the Tommy Hunter Show with CBC for many years. With The Rhythm Pals, Jack entertained Canadian troops and United Nations Armed Forces in almost every part of the world.

For over half a century, Jack has shared his talent with generations of Canadians, contributing greatly to culture and music in our nation.

Some of his many accomplishments with The Rhythm Pals included three RPM Awards (now known as Junos), induction into the B.C. Entertainment Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Canadian Country Music Association Hall of Honour. He has received the Saskatchewan Legend and Legacy Award, and his name is embedded in the Starwalk of Vancouver’s Theatre Row. Then in 2005 he became a recipient of the Order Of British Columbia, and was honored for his talent and dedication to pioneering the Country music scene in Canada.

Although Jack was grateful for all the travels and achievements his professional life offered him, he was a devoted family man and was happiest being home with his family.

Jack passed away on August 31, 2012 at Kelowna General Hospital, in Kelowna, BC. Jack died peacefully at age 88. He is survived by Dorothy, his partner of eight years, his four children, twelve grandchildren and nine great- grandchildren. Private services will be held at First Memorial in Kelowna and Jack will be laid to rest at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Kelowna.

Jack brought joy to all of those around him. He will be remembered forever with love and a smile as a devoted husband, partner, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

We will miss you dearly!