Glenn Merriam Jensen

Glenn Merriam Jensen, of Salt Lake City, died peacefully May 3, 2026, at the age of 99, shortly after celebrating 78 years of marriage to his sweetheart, Joy.

Glenn was born December 21,1926 and raised in SLC at 1609 E. Browning Avenue. His parents, Joy and Helen, had moved from Manti, their hometown. Glenn and his only sibling, Allen, enjoyed riding the train, with their parents, to Manti, to visit grandparents and stay over in the summer with cousins. Glenn attended Uintah Grade School, Roosevelt Jr. High, East High and the University of Utah briefly before joining the Merchant Marines in 1944. He served in the Pacific during the last years of World War II, stopping at 27 different ports of call from New Guinea to Japan. Following his service, he worked one year for the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad before beginning employment with Christensen Diamond Products, a diamond-bit manufacturing company, in SLC. He started as an entry level employee in the shop but was soon recognized for his abilities. Eventually it turned into a rewarding 41-year career.

Glenn married his sweetheart, Joy Snyder, in 1948, in the Salt Lake Temple and raised five children. In 1961, the family moved to Bombay, India, where Glenn was selected to head up a production facility for three years. The relocation was a major undertaking, with lots of unknowns. Glenn went ahead to begin work and find an apartment, leaving Joy to ship belongings and travel with their four children, ages 4-12. The family grew to love their exotic surroundings and the very uncommon experiences that unfolded. After three years, they toured extensively in Europe and the Middle East on their way home. They returned to their home in the Salt Lake neighborhood of East Millcreek. Based on Glenn's proven performance in India, the company entrusted him with assignments in Lima, Peru (1965-66) and Mexico City (1980-1983), where he was elevated to General Manager of Central and South America. As the youngest child, Carolyn had not yet been born when the family lived in India, but she was able to go, with her mom and dad, to Mexico City, attending high school. These international experiences ignited the family's passion for further world travel and exploration.

After retiring, Glenn and Joy traveled extensively and served an 18-month mission, for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, serving in the Atlanta, Georgia Temple. Upon returning, they continued their service in the Salt Lake Temple for another fourteen years, as ordinance workers. He also served as a shift coordinator for many years. They especially loved their temple callings. Glenn had a testimony of the Gospel and served faithfully in ward and stake positions. He made an extra effort when it came to Home Teaching and was appreciated by the families he served, for his consistency and concern.

Glenn loved sports from an early age and was an accomplished amateur golfer in the state. He first won an age-group trophy, as a young teen, at Nibley Park. He played in several Utah Amateur and Utah Open Championships. He won the Hidden Valley Country Club Championship and club events in India and Mexico. A highlight was competing on a six-man team, representing Utah in the Morse Cup, at Pebble Beach Golf Links. It also included rounds at Spyglass and Cypress Point. Another highlight was playing at the U.S. Senior Challenge in Glens Falls, New York, with the four-man Utah Team. Having taught his sons to play golf, he enjoyed playing many rounds with them, along with his son-in-law Craig Ebert and his nephew Kurt Lindorff. He also enjoyed playing with his friends from the neighborhood. A group of them took annual golf trips to Southern California, with their wives, and once to Scotland, playing the Old Course at St. Andrews. In his nineties, lacking the stamina or eyes to play like he wanted to, his sons, Stan and Don, would take Glenn out, in a cart, for nine holes at Fore Lakes, just for fun.

Glenn was good at other sports as well.He played basketball and Church fast-pitch softball, as a catcher. He won bowling trophies and once scored a perfect 300 game in league play. He coached and referee'd youth basketball in the Ward. For many years, Glenn and Joy, along with Joy's sister, Bonnie and husband, Hal Bills, had season tickets to U of U Basketball and BYU Football. They enjoyed traveling together, with the Cougar Club, with sightseeing excursions all over the continental U.S. and Hawaii.

Growing up during The Great Depression, he witnessed the necessary frugality for people to get by. He was careful with resources. Nothing went to waste. He was a good provider and prepared for the future, providing everything needed for Joy's continued well-being. He was generous in supporting his children with educational opportunities, missions, study-abroad, and even work-abroad, where his son, Stan, and two friends spent the summer after high school graduation at Christensen's Germany plant. He supported other good causes outside the family consistently. He was community-minded and readily offered his ideas, having Letters to the Editor printed in the Deseret News and Salt Lake Tribune. His management background and engineering mind led him to constantly think about better ways of doing things.

Glenn loved his family. He was proud of his children and their accomplishments. He adored his grandchildren and prioritized their education. He enjoyed watching his family grow, as they welcomed many great grandchildren. He admired his brother, Allen and had great affection for his extended Snyder family. He loved his East Millcreek 7th Ward family, as they resided in the family home for 66 years.

Glenn is survived by his wife, Joy and children, Stan (Jennifer), Don (Esther), Suzanne (Greg Lutz) and Carolyn (Craig Ebert). Glenn was preceded in death by his daughter, Kirsten (Greg Gibson) and grandson, Peter Jensen Lutz. Glenn and Joy have 20 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren, with two on the way.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, in the East Millcreek 7th Ward Building at 3408 South Celeste Way, Millcreek, Utah. Reception 12:00 p.m.-12:30 p.m., followed by a program. Grave dedication and interment in the Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Utah Food Bank.