Lois Tarkanian

Lois Esther Tarkanian returned home to her heavenly Father on November 18, 2024, surrounded by her family. Lois was born in Fresno, California, on April 28, 1934, the eldest of six children. She relished that she grew up on a farm, picking cotton, tobacco, and grapes, and always loving flowers.

Education was a lifelong passion – she graduated high school at 16 years old, earned her bachelor’s degree in education at 19 years old from Fresno State where she met Jerry Tarkanian, her future husband of 60 years, and later obtained a master’s degree in speech pathology and a PhD in leadership and human behavior.

Lois excelled as an educator and a mentor, generously sharing her knowledge and expertise in audiology, speech and language, cognitive development, and social interaction skills. Despite her many accomplishments, she cherished most her part in the founding of Oralingua School (the first private school in California for deaf children in 1969), the initiation of Nevada’s first full inclusion program for deaf children at then Community College of Southern Nevada (CSN currently), the establishment of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, and the respect of having the Lois and Jerry Tarkanian Middle School named in her honor. She was a tireless champion for education on every level, co-founding the Public Education Foundation to bring our community together to support our public schools. Lois was a tireless public servant, serving on the Las Vegas School Board for 12 years, Las Vegas City Council for 14, including years as Mayor Pro Tem, and nearly 4 years on the Nevada Board of Regents. Her legacy of service to the State of Nevada and the Las Vegas community will stand for generations.

More importantly than her professional achievements were Lois’ personal relationships and the way she made each person she encountered feel – her kindness, generosity, and grace to others from all walks of life. Jerry’s basketball players called Lois “mom“ because she acted not just as a second mom, but a true mother to them - offering unwavering love, guidance, and warmth that made her a part of their hearts, as a trusted confidante, who shaped their lives both on and off the court. At her home the door was always open and everyone always welcome. Lois was always loving and supportive, never judgmental. She was one of those people who wanting what was best for others came naturally.

Lois was a woman of deep faith, always teaching her family to pray and trust in the Lord. Family was Lois’ highest priority and greatest source of pride. Her grandchildren lovingly called her “Super Nana” because she was just that, SUPER in every way.

As Lois said after her beloved Jerry passed, “Our hearts are broken but filled with incredible memories.”

Lois is predeceased by Jerry in 2015 and is survived by her four children: Pamela (Erik King) Tarkanian, Jodie (Keith Trader) Tarkanian, Danny (Amy) Tarkanian, and George (Mary Kay) Tarkanian, 11 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lois ’memory can be made to the Lois & Jerry Tarkanian Middle School.