Mike Jensen

Paul Michael Jensen (Mike), age 72, passed away unexpectedly on November 1, 2024 during a yearly hunting trip to his favorite property he owned near Glade Park, Colorado. Mike was born on January 5, 1952 in Kingsburg, California to Paul Marion Jensen and Betty June Frost. He attended Kingsburg schools from the time he was little until he graduated from Kingsburg High School in 1970. While growing up Mike helped his father paint and wallpaper houses and started his first real job loading trucks by hand for a local farmer, Yuk Hamada. After high school, Mike attended Fresno City College and obtained a license in real estate. Mike married his high school sweetheart, the love of his life, Joan Marie Trank, on May 11, 1974, and together they had 3 children, Vincent, Erin and Krista. While he was in real estate he got a little taste of farming through his father-in-law, Gordon Trank and enjoyed it so much that he made it his full-time career. During the next few years Mike purchased farmland of his own and soon decided it would be beneficial if he packed the fruit himself. He had a small packing shed built on Road 40 where he and his wife worked together to provide for their family. In 1988, Mike and Harold McClarty got together and created a farming, packing and cold storage business, the HMC Group Cold Storage Inc. Mike oversaw all things in production while Harold in sales. Mike and Harold started buying properties together and separately to expand business and in 1996 they bought Traver Ranch Farming and Packing. Together, they created the Traver Ranch brand which is the premier tree ripened brand in stone fruit. In 2007 Mike and Harold bought Royal Valley Packing in Reedley, California. Since 2010, Mike has continued to buy properties to expand his business, diversifying into other commodities such as almonds and pistachios. There was no doubt that Mike enjoyed his job and took pride in the quality of fruit he grew but what seemed to mean the most to him was having his wife, son, daughter and son in law, Jacob Carlson, work right along side him. Mike dearly loved his family and was so proud of his son and daughter. As a father he taught Vincent and Krista how to fish at a young age, leading to their love of fishing. He was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His greatest joy came from serving those around him. He was a steady presence, offering wisdom, love, and support to those he held dear. Mike had a huge, tender heart and the perfect mischievous grin, incredibly smart with a witty sense of humor. He leaves behind a legacy of love, perseverance, and the importance of family. He will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Mike is preceded in death by his mother and father, Paul and Betty Jensen, sister Patricia Ann Williams and first daughter Erin Nicole Jensen. He is survived by his wife, Joan Marie Jensen, son Vincent Michael Jensen, daughter Krista LeAnn Carlson (Jensen), sister Rita Jean Judge, daughter-in-law Caron Jensen, son-in-law Jacob Carlson and 6 grandchildren: Mia, Gavin and Carson Jensen and Colten, Jace and Wyatt Carlson. A celebration of life will be held on Friday November 15th at the Kingsburg Covenant Church at 11:00am followed by a reception at Riverland located at 38743 CA-99 Kingsburg, CA 93631. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the "American Cancer Society" in honor of Mike's family and friends who have lost their lives and are currently battling cancer. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM Friday, November 15th, 2024 at Kingsburg Covenant Church, 1490 Lincoln Street, Kingsburg. Services have been entrusted to Salser & Dillard Creighton Chapel. Memorial Tributes and condolences may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com.

Mike Jensen

January 5, 1952 - November 1, 2024