MSG Sydney (Syd) Niels Jensen, 78, passed away on Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at home with his loving family by his side.
He was born December 23, 1943, in Richfield, Utah to Sidney and Clarice Eaton. He was later adopted by his aunt and uncle Leslie and Mildred Jensen.
Syd is preceded in death by his mother, Clarice Peterson Walker and stepfather, Gaylon Walker; adopted mother and father, Mildred and Leslie Jensen; sister, Sandy Dutton; and brothers, Kent and Stanley Peterson. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Blanche; his two sons, Scott Niels Jensen of the home and Shawn (Joanne) Jensen of Melbourne, FL; granddaughter,,, Gabrielle Jensen of Whidbey Island; grandson, Daniel Jensen of Melbourne, FL; three brothers, Brad (Lora Lee) Peterson of Kearns, UT, Joe (Rita) Walker of Hartford, AR, and Vincent (fiancé, Sheila) Walker of Hackett, AR; four sisters, Kaye Hanson of Elsinore, UT, Deborah Lamz of Greenwood, AR, Vanessa (Steve) White of Alma, AR, and Claudia Turner of Springfield, UT.
Syd enlisted in the army out of high school. He was stationed at Fort Ord California then had a tour in Korea. While on leave before going to Fort Benning, GA for jump school, he met and married Blanche Coleman in Las Vegas, Nevada. A marriage that had lasted for 57 years. After jump school, he went to Fort Bragg to start Special Forces training in communication. Upon completion he went to Vietnam for one of two tours with 5th GP. In 1972, he went through Laotian Language Course and went to Lao for Project 404. In 1974, he went through Spanish Latin Language Course and was stationed in Panama with 7th GP ODA 13. In 1979, he was stationed in Minnesota at the University of Minnesota ROTC as the rifle team coach and instructor in land navigation. In 1981, he returned to Panama as the NCO 7th GP of the Long hair team. Upon completion of his assignments in Panama he returned to Fort Bragg where he was an instructor with USAJFKSWC. Syd retired from the army in September 1985. In 1986, he returned to work as GS Civil Service at Fort Bragg, NC, first as an instructor with INTAC Individual Terrorism Awareness Course and SATMO Security Assistance Training Management Office retiring as a GS 11. In the years after his retirement, he enjoyed many years of golfing with his SF buddies at Bayonet Golf Course. Syd also enjoyed working out at the Healthplex and reading.
A Funeral Service will be held at 2 PM on Friday, October 7, 2022, at Rogers and Breece Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be sent to a charity of your choice in Syd’s name.
