George Eugene Jorgensen

George Eugene Jorgensen Tremonton: George Eugene Jorgensen, 89, prominent educator, artist, loving husband, and father died October 16, 2002, of causes incident to age. Born on March 12, 1913, in Price, UT, to George Edgar and Florence Virginia Horsley Jorgensen, the first of eight children. Growing up in a family that fostered music and culture, Eugene developed an early interest in music and art, further inspired by fine Carbon County educators. Eugene developed his talents learning to play the piano, clarinet and saxophone by the time he entered high school. He also excelled in drama and art. In later life, he studied and learned to play the cello and wrote poetry. Eugene studied voice under the Russian opera star, Sidor Belarski, and briefly considered pursuing opera as a career. He graduated from BYU in 1935 with a double major in music and art and later obtained a masters degree in education, with emphasis in school administrative affairs, from Utah State University. On November 18, 1935, he married Helen Childs from Bancroft, ID, in the Salt Lake Temple. They had three sons, Richard Alan, David, and John who preceded him in death. Eugene and Helen opened their home to a foster daughter, Lora Lee Duersch. She was a loving daughter to them and a bright spot and source of strength during the trials that would follow. Eugene?s extensive career as an educator included his early years of teaching music and art in Sunnyside and Cedar City, UT, as well as Arimo and Bancroft, ID. From 1945 to 1962 he developed one of the finest A cappella choirs in Utah at Bear River High School. His insistence on settling for nothing short of the best made him a legacy to all of his students. They affectionately referred to him as ?Mr. J.? Two of his choirs were invited to perform for the Music Educator?s National Convention in San Diego and Chicago. Eugene was selected as a western board member-at-large for the MENC from 1953 to 1957. While at Bear River Eugene also taught art and after his retirement exhibited his personal work on three different occasions in the Brigham City Gallery. He was inspired by Yellowstone Park area for many of his paintings. He later served as Principal at Garland Elementary School. He took up flying and received his flying license, under the tutelage of Wayne Larson Sr. and continued by Wayne Larson Jr. At age 85 he flew the plane for the last time. On December 3, 1975, he married Marjorie Oyler in the Ogden Temple. She has been his devoted companion throughout the remainder of his life. Together, they served a mission as supervisors in the Logan Temple Baptistry, and he held numerous church callings. Eugene is survived by his wife Marjorie; his foster daughter, Lora Lee Leon Oenes, Denver, CO; step children, Julie Dean Udy, Brigham City; Jeri Darrel Newman, Salt Lake City; John Shauna Oyler, Newport Beach, CA; Janine Ike Swan, Kaysville, UT; 17 grandchildren and 20 great grand children; brothers, retired Lt. Col. Ret. Richard I. Evelyn Jorgensen, Colorado Springs, CO; Cecil Jorgensen, Cedar City, UT; a sister, Dr. Eleanor Jorgensen , Provo, UT. Preceding him in death are his parents, his wife Helen, three sons, and siblings, Steven, Helen J. Clark, Dolores, and Dorothy J. Brown. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 21, 2002, 11:00 a.m. at the Tremonton 1st Ward Chapel, 166 North Tremont. Friends may call Sunday, October 20th from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and Monday, October 21st from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at Rogers and Taylor Funeral Home, 111 North 100 East, Tremonton. Interment will be in Bancroft, Idaho Cemetery. Condolences may be extended to the family at: www.rogersandtaylor.com