He was the fifth of seven children born to Charles Mathew and Marie Johansen Jensen. His family moved to Sutherland when he was 2 years old and he grew up helping out on the family farm. His mother passed away when he was 6 years old. He and his siblings shouldered the responsibility of keeping the home and family functioning at a young age. He became a skilled carpenter and as a teen built all the cabinetry and many other parts of their home. He graduated from Delta High School. In August of 1940, he and seven other young men from the tiny community of Sutherland, UT enlisted in the military together. He enlisted for a service period of six years in the US. Navy. Following boot camp, he was assigned to duty onboard the U.S.S. Oklahoma. In just 16 months he had earned the rank of Radioman 3rd Class. During his free time, he had also just completed his solo flight and was on the cusp of receiving his pilot's license. He was killed in battle during the attack on Pearl Harbor when the Oklahoma was hit by torpedoes.

The Cahoon-Jensen American Legion Post bears his name and recognizes Arthur L Cahoon, the first battle casualty from Delta community in World War I; and Theodore, the first of World War II. On July 26, 2020, in Offutt, NE, the work to identify his remains began. On December 17, 2020, just over 79 years after his death, he was identified and his official death certificate filed. After almost 80 years, his remains were returned home through the assistance of the U.S. Navy. Since his passing, he was joined in death by his siblings, Ruth Steele, Beth Brasher, Auer Jensen, Bert Jensen, John "Jack" Jensen, and Bonnie Maxfield. He is survived by his nieces, Sharon Senecal, R'Lene Hoggan, Elcee Crafts, Vickie Jensen, Susan Kooyman, Julie Maxfield, Margaret Riebeek, Tina Maxfield; nephews, Verl Jensen, Theo Dennis Brasher, Michael J Brasher, Phillip Jensen, Alan Jensen, John B Jensen, Eddie Jensen, Mont Maxfield, and Stephen Jensen.