Jean Antoine Agopian

Jean Antoine Agopian was born in Marseille, France. His parents Sarkis Agopian and Serpouhi Garabedian Agopian escaped Turkey during the Armenian Genocide and fled to France. Jean had three siblings.

Jean married Rose in 1949 In Detroit, MI and they had two children. Jean married Marie (Slavin Durant) in 1981 in Las Vegas, NV.

Jean emigrated from France in 1947 to Detroit to work at Saks Fifth Avenue has a premier tailor. While working at Saks, he went to night school to get a high school diploma and to study mechanics. After graduation Jean left Saks and went to work as a mechanic and then purchased his own service station. After several years, Jean was recruited to work for Ford Motor Company dealership where he became the expert in carburetors especially on the Ford Mustang.

Following his retirement from Ford, Jean and Marie continued their love of Flamenco music and dance performing in the Detroit area. Ever the entertainer, Jean loved to perform his guitar at many Italian restaurants and if he didn’t know the language he would make up his own words. Jean also then turned his tailoring talents into making hats and accessories for Marie to decorate and doing countless craft and art shows. Jean loved people and loved to tell his stories to one and all. When asked his secret to longevity he would say – “I never smoked or drank (They don’t really consider wine, drinking in France, and he stopped at the age of 70) and I exercise every day”. He also loved lots of fruit, nuts and his favorite fish – salmon. So, now you know the secret.

Jean and Marie moved to Las Vegas in October 2023 and started making friends at the Desert Springs and Desert View Senior Living. Jean always had a smile and a song for everyone.

Jean is survived by his wife Marie, son David m. Chris Orsolini, daughter Karen Agopian m. Jamie Rife. Granddaughters Eana Agopian, Marita (Agopian) Brock, her husband Don and great granddaughter Rosemary, and stepdaughter, Bernadette Durant Anthony m. Stavros and children Irene Anthony Smith m. Cameron, great grandsons, Hayden, Luke and Logan and Elizabeth Anthony.

May his Memory be Eternal.

A gathering for Jean will be held Wednesday, May 28, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM at Palm Mortuary - Cheyenne, 7400 West Cheyenne Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89129, followed by a service and reception from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM.