Myron Tarkanian

1940 - 2022

May 13, 1940 - Feb. 12, 2022 Myron George Tarkanian was born on May 13, 1940, in Euclid Ohio, to Armenian immigrants, George and Rose Tarkanian, survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Myron was the third of three children, 10 years younger than than his brother Jerry, and 13 years younger than his sister Alice. George and Rose operated a small grocery store 7 blocks from Lake Erie, in the midst of the depression and at the onset of World War 2. George, a generous and benevolent man, died of tuberculosis in 1940, six months after Myron was born. Rose remarried Vahan Derderian, whom Myron regarded as his father. Together, they all embarked on a cross country trip by automobile, intending to relocate to Fresno, California, but stopped in Pasadena to visit friends and relatives. Rose fell in love with the San Gabriel Mountains, often saying Pasadena "reminded her of the old country." With the exception of a few years early in his subsequent coaching career, Myron never left the San Gabriel Valley. Pasadena was his home for the duration of his childhood, and his work home for most of his life. A graduate of Longfellow Elementary, Wilson Middle School and Pasadena High School, Myron grew up an aspiring athlete, and developed many life-long friends including his best friend, Harvey Hyde, whom he met in the 3rd Grade. Myron adored his mother Rose. She passed away in in 1964. Vahan passed in 1966. Myron's brother Jerry, a Hall of Fame Basketball Coach and legendary sports personality, died on February 11, 2015. Myron's sister Alice, known for extraordinary loyalty to her older and younger brothers, died on September 19, 2015. Myron attended the University of Redlands, where he earned both a Bachelors and Masters degree, and developed many close friendships which endured a lifetime. He played football, obtained a degree in education, earning his teaching credentials. More importantly, Myron met the love of his life, Anna Fagerlin, who became his wife of 59 years. After graduating from the UofR, they married. Together, they had 4 children, Bill, the oldest, and Rose, Jane and Kendra. Myron was hired as Head Football Coach at Moreno Valley High School right out of college, building winning teams at the newly established school, and was named Head Football Coach at Mt. San Jacinto College, launching their football program. In 1967, he left to become an Assistant Football Coach at the University of Hawaii, where he and the family lived for a year. In 1968, Myron returned to Pasadena to become Co-Head Football Coach at Pasadena City College, with his childhood friend, Harvey Hyde. Together, they built a Junior College football dynasty that lasted nearly three decades, even though Myron left football to focus on family, his health, and business pursuits, 8 years later. He has the distinction of being the Head Coach of PCC's last undefeated (10-0-1) and National Championship team in 1974. He continued teaching Physical Education and coaching other sports (Mens and Women's Tennis, and Mens and Women Soccer) over five decades, retiring in 2004 as one winningest coaches in the history of PCC Athletics, including conference titles in Men's Tennis in 1992 and 1998, and Men's Soccer in 1999, 2000, and 2001. He was inducted into PCC's Sports Hall of Fame in 2018, joining his famous brother, Jerry Tarkanian. Over the five different decades he spent at PCC, Myron developed numerous friendships with colleagues, players and students that sustained the test of time. Family was Myron's highest priority and greatest source of pride. All four of his children graduated from college and obtained post-graduate degrees. His daughters, Rose, Jane and Kendra, became accomplished educators like their father. Bill became a lawyer, and currently is a Director of a Behavioral Health non-profit, L.A. CADA. Myron and Anna were present for their 4 children at all of their games, recitals and school activities. Rose, Jane and Kendra collectively had 8 grandchildren, and the kids and grandkids were the pride of Myron and Anna's lives. Summers included family reunions and long vacations. Anna Tarkanian, like her husband, was also a career educator. They lived in the same home in Arcadia, California, for 50 years. They were the epitome of a happy and loving marriage, and the consummate parents. Myron was diagnosed with heart disease in his mid-thirties, and survived a bout with Cancer in his early sixties. In response, he walked several miles daily, ran marathons, and became a vegetarian. He always regarded himself as living on borrowed time, and in the last years of his life, Myron expressed a sense of deep gratitude for being the husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, Coach and friend adored and respected by all who knew him. He is survived by his beloved wife Anna, children Bill, Rose, Jane and Kendra; sons-in law, Clark Longhurst, Randy Wilson and Dave McGrath; and grandchildren, Randirose Wilson, Annalee Longhurst, Chris Wilson, Myron Longhurst, Kennan Wilson, Charlotte McGrath, Tark McGrath and Georgia Longhurst. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 5, at 2:30 p.m., at the south end of the Rose Bowl, in Pasadena. At the family's request, a donation in lieu of flowers to the Myron Tarkanian Legacy Fund at L.A. CADA is appreciated. Go to LACADA.com.