John D. Henk

life story

Husband, Father, Grandfather and Sports Broadcaster

John Douglas Henk was born to John and Vivian Henk on July 25, 1951. Raised in the east side of St. Paul, Minnesota, John attended Farnsworth Elementary School and went on to St. Paul Johnson High School where he graduated in 1969. He grew up developing a passion for sports; particularly Hockey playing on Lake Phalin and being involved with the "Region 4 Champion" Johnson Hockey team in 1968. After graduating from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities with a major in English and Communications, he began his career as a local broadcast journalist covering sports at KSTP 5.

In 1975, he traveled to New Orleans to cover Super Bowl XI, where he met at a local party, his wife Theresa. She was from South St. Paul, Minnesota and the two would marry in 1978, staying married for 48 years till his passing. After 5 years in Cleveland, they moved to Sacramento, California in 1985 for 15 years working as the Lead Sports Anchor for KOVR 13. Having 2 sons, Ryan in 1986 and Sean in 1989, they built a life together and traveled to many destinations over the years in a combination of work and fun.

Over the years, his career lead him to places like Florida for numerous Super Bowls, many trips to San Francisco and Oakland, California to cover MLB and NFL games and star athletes, including the 1989 World Series at Candlestick Park during the Earthquake. Los Angeles for the 1988 World Series with Kirk Gibson’s home run and many other places and events in sports history. Over those 15 years, he also flew the family back to Minnesota several times a year for the holidays. In 2001, John and his family moved back to Minnesota, where he worked for FOX/UPN 29 for 5 years before retiring.

John was always proud of his Minnesota background and remained active in the local community. He enjoyed attending gatherings with Johnson High School alumni and continued to follow local sports. John's family always came first and could always be counted on to be there for them. His personality both on and off the air was as much of a comfort to them as it was to the people he interviewed.

As “East Side Strong” as he was, he fought to the end. After 7 years of battling esophageal cancer, John passed away at home on Friday night on May 22, 2026. He leaves behind his wife (Terry); 2 sons (Ryan) and (Sean), his brother (Tom), Granddaughter, (Shenna) and daughter-in-law, (Nicole), along with many extended family and friends.

A Celebration of Life honoring John will take place on Friday, May 29 at Incarnation Lutheran Church, 4880 Hodgson Rd. (North Oaks), St. Paul, Minnesota. 55126. Visitation at 10:00am followed by the service at 11:00am.

memorial service

Celebration of Life

May 29, 2026

Incarnation Lutheran Church 4880 Hodgson Rd, St Paul, MN 55126, USA

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Crescent Tide Cremation Services