James "Jim" C. Jensen Sr.

Rev. James C. “Pastor Jim” Jensen Sr.

November 8, 1948 - September 7, 2026

Rev. James C. “Pastor Jim” Jensen Sr., 77, of Akron, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on September 7, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and pastor, Jim lived a life of many chapters, all connected by one enduring thread: love.

Born in Elyria, Ohio, on November 8, 1948, to Neal “Skip” P. Jensen and Marcia V. Jensen (Steele), Jim grew up in Elyria and Lakewood. His curiosity, adventurous spirit, and love of people would carry him through a remarkable variety of experiences-and give him plenty of stories to tell along the way.

Jim met the love of his life, Ellie Smith, at Methodist church camp Kline. They married October 11, 1969 at Detroit Avenue United Methodist Church in Lakewood and shared 57 years of marriage filled with humor, adventures, motorcycle rides, and devotion. Together, they raised four sons and built a family that remained Jim’s greatest source of pride. Ellie cared for him with steadfast love and dedication until the very end.

As a dad, Jim loved an adventure, especially one that involved his boys. Family trips meant everyone crammed into a van, a pop-up camper in tow, and enough memorable moments to keep the stories alive for years. He loved working on things with his sons, sharing both the project at hand and the time together. Whether someone needed help fixing something or working through one of life’s difficult questions, Jim was the person to call. He brought wisdom, compassion, and a willingness to listen.

His daughters-in-law became his family, and he was proud of each of his children, grandchildren, and his great-grandchild. To his grandchildren, he was simply “Grandpa,” a name he carried with love and pride.

Jim’s working life reflected his many interests and talents. He worked as a print typesetter, a Kodak service technician, and he was a disc jockey known as Scott James at various radio stations and clubs. Music and the joy of bringing people together were lasting parts of his life. His many chapters also included being a choir director, a blacksmith, and a computer enthusiast.

Jim answered a call to ministry as a second-career pastor. He studied at Candler School of Theology at Emory University and served as a local pastor in the United Methodist Church for two decades. His ministry included Beallsville and Jerusalem United Methodist Churches, which he served together as a two-point charge, as well as Lakeview, Sawyerwood, and Windham United Methodist Churches.

He loved preaching and teaching the gospel, with a particular commitment to helping people learn and truly understand the Bible. Teaching Disciple Bible Study was especially meaningful to him. He welcomed the opportunity to work through Scripture with others, helping them discover its meaning and its place in their lives.

Jim was especially proud of Project Sawyerwood, a local mission in Akron, Ohio, he developed from ideas offered by the church’s youth. It brought together things he deeply valued: listening to young people, serving the community, and putting faith into action.

At the heart of Jim’s faith was his conviction that God is love. He refused to read John 3:16 without also including verse 17, emphasizing God’s grace and the promise that Christ came to save the world rather than condemn it. As he approached the end of his life, he found particular comfort in John 14 and Jesus’ promise of a place prepared in the Father’s house.

Outside his work and ministry, Jim’s interests remained wide-ranging. He loved music, travel, 3D printing, and trains, both model and full-sized. Before ministry, he even volunteered as a trolley conductor at Trolleyville USA, sharing his enthusiasm with those who climbed aboard. He enjoyed learning, making things, and finding the next adventure.

And Jim was Santa Claus. To countless people who met him in that role, he was the real Santa. His warmth, humor, and love for people made a lasting impression, and his family often heard from those who were convinced they had met the genuine article.

Jim loved jokes and loved to laugh. He had an unmistakable laugh that could be heard by everyone around. Loving, wise, and compassionate, he could offer thoughtful guidance and share a good laugh in the same conversation. Even in his final days, he met difficult circumstances without complaint.

Jim was preceded in death by his father, Neal “Skip” P. Jensen, and his mother, Marcia V. Jensen (Steele).

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Ellie Jensen; his sister, Meg Andersen (Brent); his four sons and their wives, James Jensen Jr. (Jennifer), David Jensen (Malinda), Matthew Jensen (Kayla), and Andrew Jensen (Rachel); his grandchildren, Ben, Mary, Paul, Zachary (Summer Hayes), Sebastian, Ethan, Alexander, and Chloe; and his great-grandchild, Charlie.

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 14, 2026, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home, 131 N. Canton Rd., Akron, Ohio 44305. Additional visitation will take place on Tuesday, September 15, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., immediately followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. An open reception will follow the service.

The family extends heartfelt thanks to everyone who has offered love and support especially during his long battle with cancer.

In his final reflections, Jim asked that those he loved make room for laughter, stories, music, food, and joy alongside their grief. He wanted a celebration of God’s goodness, the people he loved, and the life he had been blessed to live. Looking back over all his life’s chapters, he wrote:

“My life was held in love.

My eternity is held in love.”

His wish for those who remain was simple:

“Tell stories.

Laugh at the funny parts.

Remember the good.

Love each other well.

And when you think of me, I hope you remember this most of all:

God is love.”

Trusting in Jesus’ promise, Jim ended his message with these words:

“And I am home.”

To share a memory of James or leave a special message for his family, visit the guest book below.