James Richard Jensen, known to his family and friends as Jim, died at the age of 90 in his home in Brandon, Mississippi on October 28, 2023. He was born to Margaret Myers and Edward Christian Jensen on July 9, 1933, in Lafayette, IN. He grew up in Chicago, IL and worked odd jobs, including the pin boy at a bowling alley, until he left high school early to enlist in the air force. He proudly served as an air controller for B-59s in the Korean War. Jim met the first love of his life, Mary Ann Bridges, at a dance where he was stationed in Louisiana in 1952. He often said that he understood the true meaning of love when he met Ann, and they eloped shortly after in Arkansas. They had their first daughter, Letitia (Leigh) the next year, soon followed by their daughters Dianna and Dana. Jim became a beloved part of the Bridges family and was considered a brother by Ann’s five siblings. After Ann submitted an application to IBM on Jim’s behalf, he began working at the cutting edge of computational technology as the first computers were developed. His work at IBM took the family to New York and California before they settled in Jackson, Mississippi, where he and Ann went on to build a successful construction and real estate business. A lifelong learner and expert teacher, Jim taught himself golf, Spanish, guitar, fishing, and bowling and shared his love of these hobbies with others. He traveled the world, rode his motorcycle on countless trips throughout the country, and, at age 84 went skydiving for the first time. A man of great faith, Jim was a devoted member of St. Peter’s by the Lake Episcopal Church and served the church in many capacities over the years. After a tragic accident ended Ann’s life and caused Jim severe injuries in 2011, Jim dedicated himself to recovery and rehabilitation. He retrained himself to bowl with his left hand and once again became one of the top bowlers in his league. In 2013 he met the second love of his life, Helene Tann, who was a constant companion, travel partner, and source of great joy until he took his last breath. Jim is survived by his partner, Helene Tann, his daughters and their spouses: Leigh & Douglas Crawford, Dianna & Matt Rooney, and Dana & Johnny Lemly, his five grandchildren, and his four great grandchildren. Services will be held on November 12, 2023 at 2:00 PM at St. Peter’s by the Lake Episcopal Church in Brandon, Mississippi. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Peter’s By The Lake or your favorite charity.