Ann I am so shocked that I just learned of Mike's passing from a neighbor Eddie Armstrong. It has been a while since you both lived in Russet Woods but it seems like Yesterday that we shared so much fun during our epic around the world Parties. I treasure the Memories of you and Mike and the boys. My heart fell to the ground when I learned of his passing. Please know that even though it has been a while since we have seen you, please know that Celeste and I both have you in our thoughts and Prayers. If there is ever anything, and I really mean it, that we can do please let us know. We love and miss you and May the Lord shine His ever lasting Light upon you. War Eagle and God Bless you.

I just learned of Mikes passing today and it really shook me. I had the pleasure of working with Mike at CommScope. He was such a encouraging colleague, wonderful friend, and proud husband and father.  His smile was infectious, his personality welcoming and his heart was always full.  You lived well Mike and you will be deeply missed. I’m so grateful to have been a small part of your journey, sending my love to your family.  

A leader and boss who understood the importance of the work/life balance. I had the privilege of knowing and working for/with Mike for the last 6 months. He could always inject a funny movie quote to air out a situation good or bad, I truly appreciated his humor as it was a breath of fresh air everytime.

He was a warrior and always put an emphasis on family first even as a leader and boss regardless of work. These were his words and one of the main reasons why I joined CommScope.

Be in peace with the lord Mike!


To the Henson family, 

I am so saddened to hear about Mike’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Mike (and Will) at Brocade, Mike was one of my favorite people at work. He was smart and brought fun and laughter to the job, even when things weren’t going smoothly. His love for his family was evident in his stories and jokes.  I hope the whole family finds some comfort in your own memories of his jokes and the laughter that he brought.  My thoughts and prayers are with you. 

Dear Henson Family,
Amy and I are so saddened to learn of Mike's passing and we offer our sincerest condolences.  I had the privilege of working with Mike in various roles in the IT community for almost 20 years, and I saw firsthand Mike's positive impact on colleagues, customers and friends.  

Mike exhibited an amazing work ethic, drive and passion for technology and people.     Mike was a great role model and mentor for so many, including myself.  I will always remember with great fondness the many great  conversations we had while driving across the Southeast as a sales team for Foundry Networks. 

Most of all, I will remember Mike's positive attitude, love of family and commitment to help all he interacted with.  We will keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.

To Mike’s Family- 

I had the privilege to work with Mike for the past 10 years in various roles at Brocade and Ruckus.  Most recently, Mike and I shared support for the South Central region partner community...this is when I really got to know this amazing individual.   I always thought I was pretty good at what I did until I sat next to Mike and learned from the “master of all trades.”  Always on and usually in his car or a plane, Mike and I would talk about the business, his partners, his peers but then end with family stuff.  I could sit and listen to Mike talk about his Royal Carribean cruises and the fun he had and the itineraries he was looking at.  Being a avid fan of cruising we would exchange cruise line comparisons and his revered Triple Diamond Platinum status with RC.  Mike’s sense of humor was similar to mine.  I remember driving in Tennessee after inheriting some of Mike’s accounts and actually pulling over Mike had me laughing so hard at his stories of the road.  The last time I was with Mike was in Fort Lauderdale at a sales meeting.  We were sitting at lunch with some of our peers as Mike was telling one of his infamous stories - I remember and will cherish that moment.  Mike, thanks for the memories....you will be extremely missed.  

Pete Linehan, Dallas, TX

Ann, Will , Alex and the Henson Family:
My heart hurts for you and your entire family . My daughter,  Lauren , and I are so sad 😭 about Mike . Lauren has shared with  me all the wonderful memories made at Lake Martin and “tailgating “ on the Plains with Ann and Mike ! Lauren shared many fun times and laughs with Will along with his beloved father and sweet mom. 
I am so happy that I got to meet “Mike”! He was such a genuinely caring gentleman and the best sense of humor !  I am sorry that I can’t be there to give your family a hug 🤗. Love and praying for the peace that transcends all understanding ❤️

Fresh out of college I started at Brocade as an inside sales rep when Mike started as a manager in the South East. On my first trip into the territory Mike took me to my first visits to waffle house as well as the Cracker Barrel. He also made sure that my cubicle was decorated with a ton of Southern pride and auburn flags. Mike had an absolute dedication to work that I don’t think I’ve seen in anyone else ever. I used to worry that he was going to crash his car because he would be on a conference call while leading a separate  Webinar on his laptop and driving down the interstate. A few years later his son Will joined our company and I was able to work with him as well and meet their wife and mother Ann. It gives me a great feeling to know what a wonderful family Mike has had with Ann and how much support and love they have for one another. They are a Great example of Marriage, parenthood and Faith. 
Sending my love and prayers for all the Henson family until you get to see him again!- Aubrey Fite 



I just wanted to send my condolences to the family of Mike. I worked with him at Brocade during both of our tenure. He was a bright, happy and focused individual.  Thoughts and prayers to his family & friends. 

Mike and Ann and the boys have been our next door neighbors for years. My first memory of Mike was early October the year they moved in. We were out putting Halloween decorations in our yard and Mike was beside himself with excitement. He couldn’t wait to put his inflatable spider out in the yard!! 
Through the years we’ve yelled Roll Tide and War Eagle at each other. They’ve come to Tuscaloosa to tailgate with us at the Iron Bowl and Mike brought Bloody Mary’s and grilled steaks for us while he said, Don’t tell Ann!! What fun times we had being neighbors! I think Mike was excited as we were when we got our tailgate trailer. He took pictures of it and texted them to Alex and Will since they were already at Auburn in school, and then he showed off photos of our Bama trailer as he traveled to Auburn games throughout the SEC!!
I am so glad he got to see Auburn beat LSU last Saturday before he went to be with Jesus on Sunday. 
You will be missed our dear neighbor and friend. Hope you’ll get to see Auburn play from an even better seat up in Heaven. We’ll help look out for Ann down here and look forward to seeing you again up there in Heaven. Bill and Gayle

I am grateful to have called Mike a friend, and will miss his humble charm and ever present laugh. He saw the good in everyone, took challenges in stride and kept his cheerful attitude through it all. Mike had a way of making everyone feel special and valuable.  I always looked forward to our side conversations at our corporate functions, and lately virtual ( he loved that lake house).  It was never all business with Mike, I always felt the true friendship and caring he had for everyone, and his passion for life and his love of his family. I will miss him dearly. 

My prayers go to Mike's family. May you find peace and comfort

Mike was a great guy who was always willing to help others out and took time to get to know people. Back in February we were all in Florida for our SKO and I was waiting for my Uber to get to the airport with my engineer David. Mike saw us standing in front of the hotel and offered to give David and I a ride with his son Will. So I cancelled my Uber and we hopped in Mike's rental and had some good laughs and conversation. I will always remember that time and many other memories I had with Mike. 

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. 

I met Mike the year before I ever went to Auburn. That was in 1984. I was a DZ at another college. He was a DZ big bro at the college I was going to, Auburn. My hubby, Craig, to be was also a Big Bro. 
Mike still holds the land speed record on the street of my childhood. Even today I think of him and belly laugh. I am deeply sorry for the loss to Ann and the family. He always, always, always was that guy that picked up where you'd left off. You are always at ease with Mike. Never met a stranger.  One of a kind.   

I met Mike after he had cancer and got a chance to see first hand what a fantastic guy, colleague and father he was.  Impossible to not be in awe of his attitude as he demanded to travel to our last sales kickoff. He wouldn't miss that for the world.  I know his family has rich memories as we all do and I especially am fond of his son Will who made his Dad so proud. Blessing and condolences to the family and Mike may you rest in His piece.

Your Friend,

Phil

Mike was co-worker @ BellSouth many years ago and one of the best technical resources around.  He was a fun guy and had a great spirit about him. Over the years after leaving BellSouth,  I would run into him Smiling at Sales Conferences and we would catch-up.  He was a great guy,  hard worker and a Team Player.  May God Bless his Family & Friends!

I started working with Mike about 8 years ago. I was in my early twenties, with so much to learn. He immediately took me under his wing (after he gave me crap for being an Alabama Grad, ROLL TIDE!) and quickly became not only a teacher and mentor but a great friend. He was someone I could always call whether for advice, his opinion or just to say hello. A "quick question" call always turned into an hour+ catch up and I wouldn't have had it any other way. I somehow always called him while he was working at his kitchen table and Ann was making him lunch. I always felt I was right there at the table with him. He was one of those people that just made you feel included. Through the years we have attended many sales conferences. He was the familiar face I could always count on and looked forward to seeing. I remember one year we were in Las Vegas for a sales kick off and I was about 6 months pregnant. The morning we were leaving he got up to help me bring my luggage down and make sure I got a cab on time to the airport. There were certainly hotel employees that could have helped me but that was Mike. He was such a special person and one of a kind. I will miss him so very much. 

Thank you, Mike, for sharing your wisdom, humor and heart of gold with me. I am truly honored to have known you. 

Until we meet again, my friend! 
Ashley Aldrich

I had the honor of meeting Mike 5 years ago when we attended a Brocade partner meeting with our team in Georgia.      His thoughtfulness was immediately recognized when, following our meeting,  he kindly offered to go out of his way to drive me to the airport so that I would not have to take the train.   This gesture was never forgotten.  I moved on to manage other accounts the following years after my first encounter with Mike and only started working with him directly again earlier this year.  I was new to his team and he privately shared with me after a meeting that he was ill and fighting a battle but, with his typical Mike Henson chuckle, that he wasn't about to  let it affect his ability to manage the team and the business.   He was so confident.  I knew he was a fighter and he was going to win this battle.  When Mike found out my daughter was applying to Auburn this spring, he went out of his way, again,  to share everything Auburn with me and my family (War Eagle!) , even offering to take my daughter in if she was ever homesick and needed a place to retreat.   Our team has missed Mike these past several weeks and we were all looking forward to his return.   I will miss his stories, his laugh, his passion for the job, his dedication to his team and the love he had for his family.  I will miss him saying on every team call..."Whatcha got for us, Creme Brulee?", his version of "Kimberly".  

I am honored to have known this very special human being.  
Rest in peace, Mike.  

~Kim Hunter

Mike was nothing but a gentleman and friend during the time we worked together.  I called Mike A LOT, to ask him questions, bounce ideas off him, and he always took my call. Heck of a friend and work colleague that I have an incredible amount of respect for.  I’m going to miss Mike immensely. 

Aloha oé, Mike.


Regards,
Joe

Pat & Norine Ferguson,

The first time I met Mike was over 16 years ago when I interviewed him for the Sales Rep job at Foundry Networks.  I knew within 5 minutes that he was a special person, and indeed he was. Mike had the best work ethic I have ever seen and used it to accomplish an incredibly successful Sales and Sales Management career.   He was a true Champion; intelligent, humble, passionate, driven are just a few of his many qualities, but most importantly, he was a great husband and father. Mike was my hero, and all will miss him.


Mike was certainly a legend, larger than life and an incredible man. I’m grateful to have worked with him and to have had to privilege of calling him a friend. Mike was always so positive and kept the team running smoothly. Mike was always so positive and kept the team running smoothly. I can't imagine your grief at a time like this, but take some comfort in knowing that Mike touched so many people, made them laugh, and was an intelligent and thoughtful leader. He will be missed by many.


I had the distinct honor and fortune of working with Mike during my tenure at Ruckus.  He was a friendly voice on the phone/face in the crowd that helped me a great deal as I got up to speed.  It's not very often we meet someone that is a truly decent human being - Mike was one of them.  My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  Our loss is surely Heaven's gain.  

I had the absolute pleasure of working with Mike at RUCKUS and getting to know him well these last few years. Mike embodied everything that is good in people. His spirit was infectious and he left a lasting impression on everyone he touched. I'll miss his passion for our business and for life and Mike's family is in my thoughts and prayers during these challenging times.

Mike was an incredible man with a heart of gold. I was lucky enough to have Mike as a coach in my first sales role out of school, but over the years Mike became so much more than a coach... he became a very dear friend. I am so grateful for both his friendship and the time I was able to spend with him. He always inspired me with his intelligence, humor and positive outlook on life. But what inspired me the most was his dedication to his family and how he loved sharing stories about his wonderful wife and two sons. Mike, along with the entire Henson family, will always  hold a special place in my heart. He will be missed by so many.  

Mike was certainly a legend, larger than life and an incredible man. I’m grateful to have worked with him and to have had to privilege of calling him friend. He was a rare combination of business savvy, technical knowledge and personality. He was loyal and loved to remind others that his “give a damn” was busted. He fought the good fight and will be so missed by many. 

I have some very fond memories of Mike and I got to know him well over the past two years.  Mike was always so positive and kept the team running smoothly.  I've learned so much from him and can't imagine ever having a leader, colleague and friend as wonderful as Mike.  He will be missed by all.

Gregg & I are so sorry and send our deepest condolences to Ann & family.   Gregg worked with Mike at Foundry & Brocade, & we both got to come to know Mike, as well as Ann, even better on our Costa Rica trip. We cherish those memories of bygone times.   
Praying that God will give His grace & comfort to the family & friends.    

In loving memory,
Gregg & Marianne Marrow


  

I worked with Mike on and off over the years, but really got to spend a lot of virtual time with him in the last year.  Mike was always positive, had great stories, and really understood our business so well.  I learned a lot from him and I am really saddened by this loss.  I can't imagine your grief at a time like this, but take some comfort in knowing that Mike touched so many people, made them laugh, and was an intelligent and thoughtful leader.  He will be missed by many.

Matt

OBITUARY

Michael "Mike" H. Henson

March 7, 1964 – November 1, 2020

Southern Heritage Funeral Home & Cemetery

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