John Wesley Agans (1872 - 1958)

AGANS, COOP

Posted By: Karen Brewer (email)
Date: 2/8/2020 at 20:47:26

The Osceola Tribune, Osceola, Iowa
July 15, 1958, Page 1

John W. Agans,
Educator, Dies

Native of Murray Was Widely
Known; Died At Age 85 Years

John W. Agans, a native of Murray and prominent former educator in Iowa, died at Albia last Wednesday. He was 85 years old. Services were at the Methodist church in Derby Sunday, and burial was in the Murray cemetery.

Mr. Agans, known in Iowa high school athletic circles as "The father of girls basketball in Iowa high schools," was superintendent of the Hiteman schools from 1918 to 1923 and again from 1938 to 1942. It was while there he became known for his work in organizing and coaching girls basketball. In 1942 he "retired" from the teaching profession but war-time shortages of school administrators caused him to accept the superintendency of the schools at Woodburn where he taught for several years before finally retiring to his home at Derby.

In his recent years he represented landowners in the Chariton river valley who are opposed to the Rathbun dam project near Centerville. Agans was long an advocate of upland soil conversation and flood control projects as opposed to big down-stream dams.

Mr. Agans was born at Murray on October 21, 1872, a son of John and Hester Agans. Survivors include his widow; a daughter, Mrs. Mona Coop of Russell and two sons, John B. of Indianola and Gerald of Omaha; two brothers William Agans of Murray and Charles S. Agans of Albia. E. E. Agans, one of Clarke county's first county agents, who died last December, was another brother.

The Osceola Tribune, Osceola, Iowa
July 15, 1958, Page 6

Rev. Clark had the funeral service for Mr. John Agans, or more commonly called Pop Agans, held at Derby Sunday. He lived here while teaching in our school. Sincere sympathy to the wife and family.