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March 11, 1954 – May 12, 2015

NATCHEZ — Memorial services for Dax (née David) Edward Jensen, 61, who died Tuesday, May 12, 2015, will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Denny Reed officiating.

Burial will follow at the Natchez National Cemetery with full military honors.

Arrangements are under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Mr. Jensen was born March 11, 1954, in Beirut, Lebanon, the son of Dr. John Alexander Jensen Jr. and Barbara Eileen Bolin Jensen.

Mr. Jensen was a graduate of Baton Rouge High School and attended Louisiana State University. He served two years in the U.S. Army as a Specialist Fourth Class from 1976 to 1979, during which time he served as a medical specialist in Germany.

Mr. Jensen worked as a certified emergency medical technician in Baton Rouge, owned an automobile dealership in San Francisco, worked as a manager, bartender and waiter at various restaurants in Louisiana, California, Hawaii, Maryland and Mississippi.

Mr. Jensen was also an accomplished amateur artist, working in various mediums, including colored pencils, pen and ink and watercolor.

Mr. Jensen will be missed by his many friends in Natchez, especially those who visited him at the bar at Pearl Street Pasta. Dax elevated bartending to a fine art, blending charm with competence and creativity. His Bloody Marys and martinis were infamous concoctions.

A gifted gardener, Dax was well known for his back garden on Washington Street. A tenacious walker throughout downtown, Dax will be remembered by friends at the Homochitto Street Chevron and the Malt Shop. Although Dax lived in Natchez for only five years, he embraced the history and culture of his adopted home. In turn, Natchez embraced him as a beloved character.

Mr. Jensen was preceded in death by his parents.

He was also preceded in death by two beloved dogs, Shadow and Bruise.

Survivors include two children, Rachel Leigh Jensen of Virginia Beach, Va., and Lance Edward Jensen of San Francisco; three sisters, Casey Hughes of Natchez, Kelley Jensen Bond and Erica Jensen Holmes of Annapolis, Md.; two brothers, John Alexander Jensen III and Paul Scott Jensen, both of Annapolis; four nieces; five nephews; and four great-nieces.

The family wishes to particularly thank Dr. Linda Allee and staff at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Jackson.

Memorials may be sent to the Miss-Lou Veterans Coalition and Friends of the Armstrong Library.

Online condolences may be sent to lairdfh.com.