Obituary: George K. Jensen Jr.

George Jensen, 82, of Whidbey Island, Washington, and Gustavus, Alaska, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, in his Whidbey home with his loving wife by his side. George was able to say goodbye to many of his friends and family during his final weeks.

George K. Jensen

George was born in Arlington, Virginia, to George and Elsie Jensen, and later moved to California where he graduated from Fremont High School and San Francisco State University. He traveled to Alaska where he taught school in Wrangell, Juneau, Fresh Water Bay Logging Camp, and Gustavus, starting as a janitor in Gustavus and finishing as the principal.

George is survived by his wife, Lynne; his brother, Rick (Lisette) Jensen, niece Jade, and nephews Jason, Erik, and Alex. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Louise Jensen.

George married the love of his life, Lynne Jensen, in Gustavus, Alaska, at the cabin they had built together in 1981. He was a beloved member of two communities, Gustavus and Whidbey. As a teacher, George positively influenced many students in subjects ranging from music, to science, English, math, and shop. He heard from many of his students in his final weeks about the difference he had made in their lives.

He was a boat and log cabin builder and carpenter. He enjoyed playing classical piano, running, bicycling, and driving his Model A Ford cars. He was renowned for repeatedly winning the annual Fourth of July slow bike race in Gustavus. In Gustavus he had served as president of the Board for Friends of Glacier Bay and played piano for many musical events. On Whidbey he volunteered with BirdNote, The Saratoga Symphony, and Hearts and Hammers. He was a member of the Whidbey A’s car club and Whidbey Audubon. George was known as someone who was always willing to help people in need and a good friend to many. His Gustavus friends gathered to honor George by crafting 29 original prayer flags with a heartfelt note tucked in the back of each. They now hang in the Jensen’s Whidbey home.

A graveside service for George was held at Langley Cemetery on Saturday, Oct. 10. A gathering to remember George and share laughter, tears, and stories of his life followed at Langley United Methodist Church fellowship hall. A celebration of George’s life will be held in Gustavus next summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Whidbey Camano Land Trust, 765 Wonn Rd., C-201, Greenbank, WA 98253; or Southeast Alaska Conservation Council, 2207 Jordan Ave, Juneau, Alaska, 99801