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James Eric Jensen passed away in his Sun Lakes home on March 26, 2026. Jim was born on October 31, 1955 in San Diego, CA, and as a child he took great pleasure in knowing that everyone celebrated his birthday by dressing up in costume and eating free candy. Jim was one of four sons born to Harold and Joan Jensen and spent much of his early childhood in Wyoming and Colorado before the family settled down in California. Jim enjoyed an idyllic childhood with his three brothers and spent many happy years camping, fishing, and playing sports (mainly baseball and golf). A great deal of Jim's formative years were spent in the Boys Scouts of America where, coupled with his parents' firm but loving guidance, he learned strong character values, citizenship skills, and an immense love and appreciation of the great outdoors. He took all of that with him throughout his life. Jim was a life-long plumber working in Southern California before starting his own plumbing business in Redlands. His customers and contractors stayed loyal to him as he was always fair, consistent, and performed high-quality work. Jim married Polly Powers in 1978, and they eventually adopted two boys out of the foster care system: Joshua and James. They gave these sons a new life that they never would have enjoyed as foster kids. In 1997, Jim married Kim Mason, and he immediately became a dad to her three children: Kyle, Emily and Michelle. Jim Jensen ended up raising five kids, none of whom were his own biological children … that takes a big man, with a big heart, and Jim was all of that. His later years were filled with visits from his loving grandchildren who would come to play cards, chess, or dice games. Anyone who ever met Jim was struck by his height (6'6"), his kindness, his generous spirit, his love of country, his low, beautiful voice, and his pure white hair. Sadly, Jim had a heart condition that truly hampered many of his years, but he never let that condition define him. He was not a glass half empty or a glass half full kind of a guy … he was always just glad that he had a glass! He truly practiced gratitude every day. And we are all so grateful for the gift that was Jim Jensen, a true example of all that a man should be. We shall miss him for the rest of our days, until we meet again in God's loving arms. LLOYD ARTHUR THOMAS May 21, 1940 - March 17, 2026 Lloyd Arthur Thomas was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan to Clinton and Alice Thomas. He and his three sisters were raised by their mother in Caro, Michigan, after his parents divorced. He did not have a father figure so a family who had several sons became his father figures, teaching him life values and giving him his first job at a shoe store at age 12. His father was a charter member of Jimmy Hoffa's Teamsters Union #299 in Detroit and wanted him to return to the Upper Peninsula to work with him. Jimmy Hoffa would stay at his grandfather's cottages on Sugar Island where the fishing and pheasant hunting were plentiful. Lloyd saw no future in that trade. At 18, he got married and moved to California where his cousin-in-law, Floyd, introduced him to carpentry and construction, the trade that defined his life. He joined the Carpenters Union and worked in more than 28 states in his lifetime. In 1972, Lloyd became superintendent at the Keystone work camp, building the first barracks and oil tank rigs for the Trans-Alaska pipeline. He also built all the modular homes in preparation for the 3,800 men and women who were coming to the camp to put in the pipeline. He lived in Alaska for 30 years until 1985 when he met Marianne; they moved to Sun Lakes and became friends with Debbie and Tony Mallotto. Marianne passed away in 2018. Tony passed away in 2019. As best friends, Lloyd and Debbie married on April 23, 2024, and filled their days with excursions, theatre, movies, reading, gaming, and making the most of life together. The greatest achievement last year was a 6,000-mile road trip to Michigan to see his sister, brother-in-law, and family he had not seen in over 15 years, visiting family graves, the original house he was born and raised in, and the family farm in the Upper Peninsula. His bucket list was complete and he said if he did nothing else in life, he would die a happy man. Lloyd lived a full life, was a hard worker, and raised four children. His oldest son, Tom, carries on his father's legacy as a carpenter in Alaska. He had a brief illness in February and passed away on St. Patrick's Day, fitting for an Irish man. He will be remembered for his work ethic, witty personality, those Irish blue eyes, his big smile, and always having a joke to tell. He will truly be missed. | SUN LAKES LIFESTYLES | JUNE 2026 | 69

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