Johnnie Henderson

Portrait of Johnnie L. Henderson, Sr.

Graduating from Winnsboro High School, Winnsboro, Texas, Johnnie entered the Army and served in the 99th Infantry Division in Europe 1945-46. He was awarded the Purple Heart, and two battle stars. After serving in W.W. II and returning home, Johnnie entered East Texas State Teachers College (now Texas A&M University Commerce) where he earned Bachelor and Master Degrees.

He began his teaching career at Avery ISD, Avery, Texas where he was a teacher and principal in the Elementary School; and a high school coach. He later did post-graduate work at Dennison University in Ohio and Fort Hays University in Kansas in advanced math. His professional career in education spanned 45 years with 17 of those years in the Forney ISD as a teacher, coach and superintendent of schools.

During this tenure he was a teacher, coach and administrator at Avery, Rylie, Royse City, Stephenville, Highland Park, Forney, and First Baptist Academy, Dallas.

Before accepting the Superintendent of Schools job at Forney, he had a successful football coaching career, with a record of 165 – 55 – 2. During these coaching years he also coached basketball (boys and girls), track, baseball, golf, and boxing. The highlights of his eight years as football Coach at Forney are a record of 78-15-1. During the eight years his team won seven district championships, five bi-district championships, three regional championships and one quarterfinal championship. In 1972 he returned to Forney ISD as Superintendent of Schools.

During the nine years of his tenure a school bond was passed to build a new high school. New programs were added in all schools, and returned the district to full-accredited status. Johnnie always felt that serving as Superintendent gave him the opportunity to develop and coordinate programs to benefit all students and teachers in all grade levels in academics and in sports. After retiring from public education, he became the Superintendent of First Baptist Academy, Dallas for the next 7 years. After retiring from the Academy, he served as Director of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools of Texas for six years.

During his years in education, Johnnie was active in his church and local community organizations. He still is active in his church day. In 1996 he was awarded the honor of Citizen of the year.

In 2001 he was inducted into the Forney Alumni Hall of Honor and was also voted as an Outstanding Alumni Emeritus Coach of Texas A&M University, Commerce.

Johnnie has remained active in his church, the school district, and city, Cemetery Association, the American Legion and the Lions Club.

Johnnie and Evelyn celebrated 57 years of marriage in April. They have one son, Johnnie Jr, and wife Glenda, and one daughter Jayne, and husband Bruce Huffman and 3 grandchildren, Matthew, Jessica and Wesley.