ROCHESTER, Mich. - Former Oakland men's basketball standout John Henderson passed away unexpectedly on March 9 at the age of 49. Henderson played at Oakland from 1985-89 and etched his name in the record book in several categories, including posting the second-best 3-point field goal percentage in a season (.475) en route to earning All-GLIAC honors.

"The Oakland Basketball family is saddened by the passing of one of our own, John Henderson," said head coach Greg Kampe. "As great of a player as John was, he was even a better person. He came from one of the greatest families I have ever been associated with. As the news spread, e-mails were pouring in filled with great stories, which is a reminder of what the college experience should be. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Henderson family."

Henderson is survived by his wife Ronda, and three children Kaitlin, Jenna and Nathan. They survive him along with his parents: John and Sharon; his sisters and their families: Sara and Bruce Gieseke, Rachel and Hank Hoenecke (Julia and Alexander), Leah and Marvin Yacoub (Noah, Bethany and Lily), and several aunts, uncles and cousins. He is also survived by Ronda's family who considered him a son and brother.

A four-year letterwinner, Henderson currently stands 21st on the all-time scoring list with 1,435 points. He made 65 starts in 110 games played, leading Oakland to a pair of 20-win seasons during his career. He stands fifth in defensive rebounds (195) and tallied 14 double-doubles (T-6) during his senior season. Henderson shot 83.4% from the free-throw line in his career, seventh-best in school history.

John served as a principal, teacher, athletics director and coach at Emmanuel Lutheran School in Tempe, Ariz. since 2010. He also taught at St. John's Lutheran School in Dowagiac, Mich. (1992-2000) and St. John's Lutheran School in Saginaw, Mich. (2000-10).

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