James “Jim” A. Henderson
Feb 26, 1960 Jul 21, 2017
James Alexander Henderson was born February 26,1960 in Tacoma, Washington to Catherine and Wellington Henderson Jr. He grew up in Kent Woodlands, Marin County, and went to St Anselm’s School, The Thacher School, The Urban School of San Francisco and graduated from San Francisco State University.
Married to the love of his life, Mindy Fenton Henderson, for 27 years, Jim was a devoted family man. Enthusiastic and endlessly encouraging, Jim supported his children’s interests while sharing his generous energy with his siblings, friends, nieces and nephews. Jim was an avid skiier, backpacker, fly-fisherman, and tennis player, and reveled in sharing these activities with loved ones. He was always an empathetic and attentive listener, and led by example how to live with compassion and concern for others, appreciate nature, honor the elderly, and spread a genuine, kind, and positive spirit that was often infused with playfulness and humor.
A visionary and entrepreneur, Jim founded three companies, SF12V, 2000 Degrees and Shine Labs, that revolutionized the lighting design world. Jim’s core nature was the spiritual essence of light, and he expressed this essence by pushing the boundaries of colored glass. By doing so, he lit up the world with his innovative art and his warm spirit. Jim also served on the Board of the Pilchuck Glass School.
Jim had a life-long passion for music and attended many Bay Area concerts, including those of his favorite band, The Grateful Dead. He was a member of the Bohemian Club, the California Tennis Club, and the Lagunitas Country Club. An expert skier, Jim’s classically graceful style was a regular sight on black diamond runs at the Sugar Bowl Ski Resort in Norden, California, where he was also President of the Ski Club. Jim had a deep love for the beauty of Lake Tahoe and cherished time driving his iconic boat, a vintage Donzi named “Lazy Lightening.” Jim loved to take family and friends water skiing and on cocktail cruises to Emerald Bay and would return to tell his children stories beneath the glittering mountain sky.
Diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease in 2011, Jim faced his struggle with grace and courage.
Jim is survived by his wife, Mindy Henderson, and their children, Tierney Henderson, Whit Henderson, and Veronica Henderson, his mother, Cathy Morshead (Jeff), and father, Hendy Henderson (Patty Davis), his brothers and sisters, Chuck Henderson (Kit), Joan Henderson (Jeff Gorham), Elena Keating (Brian), and Mark Henderson (Mercedes McNab), as well as ten nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be sent to Alzheimer’s Association/ Part the Cloud, In Honor of Jim Henderson, 2290 N 1st Street Suite 101, San Jose, CA 95131.
A memorial service will be held on August 23 at 3:00 pm at Grace Cathedral in San Francisco.