In Loving Memory of Raymond “Ray” Carl Jensen

April 8, 1939 – August 12, 2026

Raymond “Ray” Carl Jensen, 87, passed away on August 12, 2026, from complications of cancer. Ray was born on April 8, 1939, at Curran Hospital in Oroville, California, to Carl David Jensen and Vera Elleen Terrell Jensen Clark. Oroville was not simply the place where Ray was born—it was home, and the people, farms, mountains and stories of this community remained a part of him throughout his entire life.

Ray grew up working on his aunts’ and uncles’ farms throughout the Oroville area, including Biggs, Gridley, Nelson, Afton, Princeton, Ord Bend and Live Oak. He attended Morris Ravine Grammar School, a one-room schoolhouse near Table Mountain and Oregon Gulch, and graduated from Oroville High School in 1957.

From an early age, Ray learned the value of hard work. He spent many years working on local farms and was also involved in the construction of Oroville Dam. He was proud of the men who built the dam and often encouraged others to remember and honor those workers and their contribution to Oroville.

In the early 1970s, Ray joined the California Division of Forestry (CDF) as a mechanic and Heavy Fire Equipment Operator. What began as a career became more than 40 years of service fighting fires throughout California and in other states.

Ray knew fire, weather, heavy equipment and the California backcountry like few others. He knew the mountains so well that friends would say he knew the terrain better than a topographic map. His knowledge and experience became especially valuable to the younger men coming into CDF. Ray was always willing to share what he knew with a new “swamper” or fellow firefighter, teaching through both his experience and his stories.

Over the years, Ray worked many major fires and became known as a heavy equipment operator who was willing to take his dozer into steep, rugged mountain country where others would not go. He had an exceptional understanding of fire behavior and terrain and was known for knowing when a situation was becoming dangerous and how to avoid an entrapment. His judgment, skill and willingness to help others earned him the respect of many firefighters and equipment operators.

Ray's connection to the fire service continued even after his CDF career. In later years, he helped local friends and logging companies, including Jackson Brothers’ Logging and Ridge Logging, with forest fire control. He continued to share his knowledge and experience whenever it was needed.

But Ray's life was about much more than work.

He was a strong, faithful man who could fix just about anything. If someone needed help, Ray was usually willing to give it. He helped friends, neighbors and people he barely knew. If he noticed an overgrown vacant lot that could become a fire hazard, he might simply go mow it himself—free of charge. He believed in helping where help was needed, without needing recognition for it.

Ray also had a gift for making friends. He never met a stranger.

And Ray had a voice that could fill a room. You always knew when Ray was there. His stories about Oroville, the people he had known, the farms, the fires, the mountains and the adventures of his life could keep a room listening. He was a storyteller in the truest sense, and his stories became part of the memories shared by the people who knew and loved him.

Many of Ray's friendships lasted for decades. He was a friend to firefighters, farmers, loggers, mechanics, neighbors and members of the many organizations he belonged to. He was a brother of Oroville Lodge No. 103, F. & A.M.; the International Shriners; Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie No. 196; and Loyal Order of Moose Oroville Lodge No. 519. To Ray, being part of these organizations was not simply about belonging—it was about friendship, fellowship and helping others.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents, Carl David Jensen (1946) and Vera Elleen Terrell Jensen Clark (2004); his wife, Francis Dobbins Jensen (2007); his stepchildren, Steven Noia Jensen, Tammela Noia McDonald and Stephanie Noia Chavez; his grandson, Kristopher McDonald; and his brother, Gordon Jensen.

He is survived by his brother, David Jensen of Springfield, Oregon; his half-sister, Barbara Clark Alage of Chico; his stepdaughter, Debra Valdovinos of Oroville; several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews; and his adopted families, David and Lisa Anderson and the Pete and Jessica King family.

Ray leaves behind more than family. He leaves behind a lifetime of friendships, stories, lessons, laughter and acts of kindness. He leaves behind people who remember him from fire camps, farms, logging roads, mountain fires, lodge meetings, community gatherings and countless ordinary days when Ray simply showed up to lend a hand.

Those who knew Ray will remember the sound of his voice, his sense of humor, his stories about old Oroville, his knowledge of the mountains, his willingness to help and his unmistakable way of making a stranger feel like an old friend.

Ray lived a long life, worked hard, helped many people and made his home wherever his friends were.

He will be lovingly remembered by his family and by the many friends whose lives he touched. He will be deeply missed—but his stories will continue to be told, and in those stories, Ray will always be there.

A Graveside service will be held Friday, September 11, 2026 at 10:30 am at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5646 Lincoln Blvd, Oroville, CA 95966.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ramsey Funeral Home 530-534-3877