Ronald Lee Jensen

Ronald Lee Jensen, 85, of Astoria, died May 28, Memorial Day, after a long illness.

He was born in Chicago, moved to La Habra, California, as a teenager, served in the Navy aboard the USS Kearsarge, worked in the airplane industry, then in advertising for the Los Angeles Times.

He came to Astoria in 1976 to purchase the Columbia Press, serving as publisher, editor, copy-editor, ad salesman, production supervisor and maintenance man until 1978. He then worked for Johnson Motors, Lum’s Auto Center and Dugan’s Coast to Coast, until retiring to pursue his first love — art. He worked in oils and acrylics, and exhibited in Seaside and Astoria.

His greatest pleasures were walking his dogs along the Astoria Riverwalk, watching the Mariners and the Seahawks, and enjoying the Mocha Java Frost at the Astoria Coffeehouse and Bistro.

He leaves behind Muriel, his wife of almost 50 years; two sons, Michael of San Jose, California (Carrie), and Patrick of Seaside (Jeane); and a daughter, Kathy Baker (Gary) of Bay City. Grandchildren are Jessica (Anthony Painter), Amy (Clarence Williams), Austin and Jordan Jensen, Ja’Lissa and Addison Jensen, Andrew and Julia Baker and Bridget Robinson. Great-grandchildren are Tommy and Zoe Erickson, Koda and Talulla Williams, Adalyn Saysongdeth, Rhody Painter and Carson Mikels.

A celebration of life Mass will be held at St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church in Astoria on Aug. 10, Ron and Muriel’s 50th anniversary. The time is still to be established.

Ron will be so missed.