POST FALLS - Whether it was in the classroom or on the court, Marc Goodwin had a passion for helping people.

Goodwin, the principal at Genesis Prep Academy, a private K-12 Christian school in Post Falls, died at his Hayden home on Sunday, friends and associates said.

Goodwin, who was 52, was a referee at a church basketball game Sunday afternoon before he died of unknown causes.

Acquaintances said the death was sudden and unexpected.

"We lost the leader of our school, and we are moving ahead to love and support his family, and support staff and students through this," said John Givens, the school board president.

Genesis, which started in 2006 and has leased space at Real Life Ministries since, has about 120 students and a staff of 14.

Goodwin enjoyed refereeing and coaching youth sports, including teams his children were on.

He was the referee at a Post Falls youth basketball game on Saturday in addition to Sunday's game over the weekend.

Pete Tacconelli, a friend of Goodwin's for the past seven years, said knowing Goodwin made him a better person.

"From the first time I met him, he had a real comfortable outlook," Tacconelli said. "When I think of Marc, I think of the fruits of the spirit ... love, joy, patience, kindness, faithfulness, self-control ... he had that in his heart. You could always walk away from a conversation with Marc with having a better peace of mind.

"He was dedicated to his family, friends, church and the Lord."

Genesis' high school recently received accreditation through the Northwest Accreditation Commission after a site visit, the culmination of a six-year process. It was a milestone that Goodwin was proud of.

Accreditation means that a school has committed itself to an ongoing school improvement process revolving around standards determined by the commission.

Jim Putman, RLM's senior pastor, encouraged the congregation to pray for the family and school.

"Marc Goodwin was a faithful follower of Jesus and he really cared about the kids," Putman wrote on Facebook.

The school day at Genesis on Monday was shortened due to the death, so students and staff could grieve the loss. RLM pastoral staff and other counselors were on site Monday morning to assist those in need.

"We had support and prayer to honor him today," Givens said. "We're dealing with shock and disbelief. He was a great man, and he'll be missed."