Jon Henderson (Epsilon-Iota '79)

HENDERSON, JONATHAN C., 49, passed away after a long, courageous and inspirational battle with Cancer, on April 24, 2008 near his home in Boulder, Colorado.

Predeceased by his late father, David Sr. in 1989; Jon is survived by siblings, David Henderson, Jr., Susan (Henderson) Tyler, Jeffrey Henderson, and his puppy, J.T. He will be missed by many other close friends and extended families.

Jonathan was born on August 30, 1958 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The son of a very successful broadcast executive, Jonathan grew up moving from television market to television market, from Philadelphia, PA to Westfield, NJ, to Wellesley, MA, to Berwyn, PA, to Ruxton, MD, to Oyster Bay Cove, NY, and finally to East Greenwich, RI, where he graduated High School in 1976. In 1981, Jon graduated from San Diego State University where he was a proud member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity, initiating at the Epsilon Iota Chapter in the Spring of 1979.

Jon was a man of many talents, a gifted singer-songwriter, a marketing entrepreneur, Co-founding Henderson Shapiro, Inc. in Atlanta and a television and film producer. But what Jon will be remembered for the most is his inspirational 9 year battle with cancer and his willingness to help and inspire others who shared his battle.

Jon worked with the local Boulder music community and organized 4 annual Beating Cancer Benefits, which donated all proceeds to the Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers Foundation. Jon produced a DVD Documentary and Soundtrack CD called the Big C Project with the purpose of informing and educating newly diagnosed cancer patients about all aspects of living with and battling cancer.

Jon also remained very loyal and supportive of San Diego State University and with the Kappa Sigma Fraternity. In his will, he left a contribution to SDSU for the Film and Broadcasting Department so they can provide scholarships to those students who may not have a chance on their own. He also provided another contribution so his legacy within Kappa Sigma could go on. Brothers David Schofield (Epsilon Iota – Fall ’78) and Dieter Baier (Epsilon Iota – Spring ’82) and Jon’s younger brother Jeffrey Henderson, have been appointed the Board of Advisors for the new “Jon Henderson Memorial Scholarship Fund”, which will be used to provide scholarships for Kappa Sigma undergraduates in the greater San Diego area. Today that consists of the Chapter at University of California at San Diego (UCSD), but will also be applied to the Epsilon-Iota Chapter (SDSU) once they are re-instated at SDSU and any other Chapters which are established in the greater San Diego area. The scholarships will be based on GPA, Leadership within the Fraternity, support of Community Services and overall adhering to Kappa Sigma’s Brotherhood principles. Two $2,500 scholarships will be given out annually.

Jon was a great person, a great friend and a great brother. His legacy does live on.

If anyone wants more information on this scholarship program, please contact David Schofield

Tags: charity events, kappa sigma, memorial fund, scholarship fund