Jerry Nelson Jenson

Jerry Nelson Jenson, 76, of Poteau, OK passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2009 in Houston, TX. Jerry was the son of Hansford & Lela (Vann) Jenson. He was raised in the Pleasant Valley area and graduated from Poteau High School in 1949. He attended Poteau Junior College and joined the Oklahoma Army National Guard. As a part of the 45th Infantry, he was deployed to Korea in 1951 as a sergeant and received a battlefield commission as a Lieutenant. He was awarded three purple hearts. Upon return from Korea, Jerry graduated from Abilene Christian University and married the former Patsy Stephens of Temple, Texas. They had six children. He returned for a short time to Poteau where he helped operate his parents' furniture business. In 1956, Jerry joined the predecessor organization of the Drug Enforcement Administration. He was first stationed in San Antonio, TX, but was soon transferred to New York City. For the next 25 years, with short stints at the New York State Crime Commission and the Federal Highways Dept., Jerry served the DEA in positions ranging from a Special Agent investigating drug cases on the streets of New York City to the Deputy Administrator of the agency in Washington, DC. He served as the Regional Director in New Orleans, Chicago, and Los Angeles and as the Director of Training at the DEA training facility in Brunswick, GA. Jerry moved to Jacksonville, FL in 1984. Until retirement he worked as an investigator for the state of Florida. He married the former Susan Mole in 1988 and they have one son, Andrew Jenson. In 2001, Jerry, Susan and Andrew moved to Poteau. Jerry was a member of the First Christian Church, the Poteau Kiwanis Club, Poteau Main Street Matters, and served on the Board of Directors of the Poteau Chamber of Commerce. Through his adult life, Jerry was a member of several veterans organizations including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans and the American Legion. He was a lifetime member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Jerry N. Nelson Jr. Jerry is survived by his wife, Susan, six children, 10 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Nora Faye Lum, her husband Tommy Lum and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jerry's children are: Sheree Crowell & Bill of Longmont CO and children Danielle and Carlos Marin and Hailey; Melissa Jenson and Michael Kenny of Los Angeles and children Jeffery and Thomas; Leslie & Tony Zeppieri of Carson City, NV and son Anthony Jr.; Jeffery & Aracely Jenson of Los Angeles, CA and children Brian, Leslie; and Michael; Judith Jenson of Brunswick, AR and children Stephanie and Ashley; and Andrew Jenson of Wister. Funeral services will be held at the First Christian Church of Poteau on Monday, September 14 at 10 am, with Rev. Dennis Jones and Rev. Jim Cook officiating. Pallbearers will be Jeff Shockley, Jim Akagi, Randy Lum, B.J. Smith, Charlie Horsely and Randy Bridgman.