Kenneth Bringhurst Jensen

Kenneth Bringhurst Jensen, PhD, age 71, of Baytown, Texas, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at the Houston Methodist Hospital on Friday, July 15, 2022.

Kenneth was born on Friday, September 1, 1950 to Emron Alfred and Melva Bringhurst Jensen in Richfield, Utah. He was the oldest of eight children. He grew up in Richfield, Logan, and North Ogden, Utah. He graduated in 1968 from Weber High.

Kenneth served as a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Mexico North Mission, from April 1970 until April 1972. He spoke fluent Spanish and served the Spanish-speaking members of the church throughout his life.

He graduated magna cum laude from Weber State College in Ogden, Utah with a double bachelor’s degree in applied physics and chemistry in 1974. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Brigham Young University in 1976. He then graduated from the University of Utah with a PhD in Fuels Engineering in 1982. His dissertation was entitled The Characterization of Iron-Manganese Oxide Carbon Monoxide Hydrogenation Catalysts.

Kenneth married Laurie Lee Pierson on Friday, September 8, 1978 in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kenneth and Laurie began their family in Salt Lake City, Utah and Waldwick, New Jersey; but raised their children primarily in Baytown, Texas.

He was a researcher for Exxon New Ventures Technology Division in Allendale, New Jersey and was then transferred to Exxon Chemicals in Baytown, Texas.  He was a petrochemical process engineer for several Engineering and Consulting companies in Houston including GDS Engineers and SNC-Lavalin.  

Kenneth was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many volunteer positions throughout his adult life, including callings as Full-Time Missionary, Branch President, Bishopric Counselor, Bishop, Stake High Councilor, and Houston Texas Temple Ordinance Worker.

He was politically active, having served as a Republican precinct chairman, an election judge, and a member and chapter leader of the John Birch Society. He held sacred the principles of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. He sought to defend the rule of law, and educate others on Constitutional principles.

Kenneth loved to compose, develop, perform, and publish music on the subjects vitally important to him—the sacred, and the patriotic. He learned to play the piano from his mother—who was an excellent pianist. His mother accompanied his father, who often sang in church and at special occasions. Ken’s Songs of Faith and Freedom can be enjoyed at kenbjensenmusic.com, on YouTube, and various streaming services. His family continues the multigenerational tradition of music.

Kenneth was preceded in death by his parents.

He was survived by his beloved wife, Laurie, of Baytown, Texas; four sons and two daughters, Rebecca (Karl) Greenwood, Orem, Utah; Michael (Alejandra) Jensen, The Woodlands, Texas; Timothy (Jodie) Jensen, Cedar Hills, Utah; Marissa (Roy) Bischoff, Santaquin, Utah; Jeffrey (Sotia) Jensen, Vineyard, Utah; and Jacob (Karen) Jensen, Houston, Texas; and 11 grandchildren: Kira, Emma, Roy, Ethan, Rachel, Juliet, Mia, Liam, Gemma, Savannah, and Mariah.

He was also survived by four brothers and three sisters, Brian (Diana) Jensen, Centerville, Utah; Eldon (Lanette) Jensen and Paul (Sherrie) Jensen, both of Morgan, Utah; Diana (Rod) Rippon, Clark (Charlotte) Jensen, and Charlotte (Kim) Ekstrom, all of North Ogden, Utah; Elyse (Jeff) Harris, Glenview, Illinois; and a host of extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 9:30 AM with funeral services beginning at 11:00 AM at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1010 Birdsong Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521; President Robert B. Brown officiating. Interment will follow at Sterling-White Cemetery, 11011 Crosby-Lynchburg Rd, Highlands, Texas 77562.