Obituary of David Michael Jens

David Michael Jens

November 28, 1965 – August 18, 2018

David (Dave) Michael Jens was born in Northridge, California to Burton Sherwyn and Marion Jens. From humble (and somewhat shy) beginnings, Dave grew into a loving, boisterous personality that made people want to be near him. Throughout his life, David put his family and friends first. He enjoyed life and valued each day always making the effort to make others feel loved and appreciated. Music and travel fueled Dave’s life and he often planned his next trip or concert moments after returning from one.

Dave’s greatest love was for his three sons- Jared, Zachary and Mason. He spent hundreds of weekends coaching or taking them to soccer games and tournaments. His wish for each of them was to find happiness and know how much he loved them.  Dave treasured every moment he shared with his boys—whether it was playing games, watching soccer, or just being present with one another.

Dave’s other great love was his wife, Favel. They met and fell deeply in love in only a few short days and, only a year later, plunged into wedded bliss on the anniversary of their first date. Dave and Favel sailed the seas together and commemorated their travels with an impressive collection of Christmas ornaments.  Although they had only 12 years together, each day was filled with laughter and love.

Dave coached soccer for nearly 22 years inspiring hundreds of young boys and girls from the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Canyon High School, and tournament teams. Dave not only showed them how to improve their soccer skills through hard work but also taught to excel as team players both on and off the field.

Dave was diagnosed in December 2017 and knew the odds were not on his side. But, rather than accept the prognosis, Dave courageously fought back. Ever conscious of exercise, he ripped through 75 push-ups to celebrate the end of six weeks of chemotherapy and radiation. The distraction of his diagnosis did not stop him from living life to the fullest, and his family and friends are grateful for the time that fighting spirit afforded them.

He is survived by his older brother Howard Jack Jens. His parents, sister Susan Robin Masarsky, maternal grandparents Ruben and Rose Reshefsky and paternal grandparents Robert and Betty Jens, precede him in death.

Instead of flowers, his family encourages donations to two non-profit organizations that help individuals and families stricken with brain cancer: Be Head Strong (PO Box 25525, Overland Park, KS 66225) and Brain Tumor Network (816 AIA North, Ste 201, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082). #jensstrong

“All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring