Barbara A Agonia

Barbara Ann Klinefelter Agonia, 88, passed away July 19 at a Las Vegas hospital. Professor Agonia was born June 11, 1934, the daughter of Robert and Suzanne Klinefelter. She attended Hanover College, including a year abroad at Exter, and graduated in 1957. She then taught at various high schools in southern Illinois before moving to Las Vegas in 1969. Barbara became a Worthy Matron of the Eastern Star at the age of 22.

After earning a Master’s degree from UNLV, Barbara was one of the first faculty members at the fledgling Clark County Community College, now the College of Southern Nevada. During her time at the college, Professor Agonia served as Chair of the English Department, Founder and Director of the Women’s Re-entry Program, and Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs. As part of the College’s 50th Anniversary commemoration, Professor Agonia was the commencement speaker at CSN’s 50th graduation in May of 2022.

Barbara was very active professionally outside the college as well. She won the Golden Award of the Western Literature Association and was on the executive committee for the College Conference on Composition and Communication and the executive board of the Nevada State Education Association.

A lifetime Cub fan, Barb, with Bob, her husband of fifty years, was a long-time supporter of UNLV football and basketball teams. Traveling in the Roberson motorhome, they attended football games in the Boyd Silver Bowl and postseason Running Rebel games in Arizona and Utah. They were among the lucky to obtain tickets to the Final Four games in Atlanta (1977), New Orleans (1987), Denver (1990), and Indianapolis (1991).

Over the years, Professor Agonia also served on the boards of the Friends of Nevada Wilderness, Community Action Against Rape, and East Valley Family Service. She volunteered at Opportunity Village and served one term as National Parliamentarian for the League of United Latin American Citizens.

Perhaps dearest to Barbara’s heart was her membership of Soroptimist International’s Greater Las Vegas Club, serving as Club President and District Director among many other offices. Her steadfast commitment to Soroptimist and its mission, as well as her immersion in its long history and participation in countless conventions, will be missed. For several years, Barbara co-edited Mentor, a Soroptimist publication with worldwide reach.

She was a member of University United Methodist Church, the Bookies book group, and the National Atomic Testing Museum.

Barbara was preceded in death by her parents and her brother and sister-in-law Bob and Setsuko Klinefelter. In addition to husband Bob, she is survived by her sister Martha Roberson and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews, including Beth, Craig, Karen, and Jer.

Services will be held at University United Methodist Church, 4412 S. Maryland Pkwy, at 1 pm, Saturday, August 27. A reception will follow at the National Atomic Testing Museum, 755 E. Flamingo Rd. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, feel free to mark donations to Soroptimist Greater Las Vegas Club or East Valley Family Services.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.palmdowntownmortuary.com for the Agonia family.