Beloved School Principal Dies on Treadmill

To the hundreds if not thousands of people who knew school principal John L. Henricks, his death is a tragic, devastating, and premature loss. The 45 year old Hendricks died of a heart attack while running on his treadmill at home on Sunday.

The popular principal of Laurens District 55 High School in Laurens County was loved by students, parents, teachers, and colleagues alike. Students say he always had a smile on his face and always had a word of encouragement to share with them.

Hendricks never fit the profile of the presumed 'typical' victim of heart disease. Always the athlete, Hendricks played football for Wofford College and was a letterman for the school's football team. He had also been a coach in the Laurens County School District 55.

Prior to assuming duties as principal of the high school 3 years ago, Hendricks had been principal of the Hickory Tavern Middle School in Laurens County.