John Agan

MINDEN, LA – John Allison Agan, Webster Parish historian, author, genealogist and Associate Professor of History at Bossier Parish Community College, died peacefully on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at the age of 61.  Visitation will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home in Minden on Wednesday, May 20, from 5 to 7 PM.  A graveside service will be held Thursday, May 21, at 2 PM at the Gardens of Memory Cemetery in Minden.

John pursued his life-long love of learning, history and politics by dedicating himself to preserving the history of his native Webster Parish while contributing his time and expansive knowledge to developing the present and future of Minden, the city he loved. After graduating from Minden High School in 1976, he earned a bachelor of arts in history (1980), master of education in social studies (1991), and master of arts in history (1995) from Louisiana Tech University. He also studied at LSU and did doctoral work at the University of Mississippi. He served on the board of directors of the Dorcheat Historical Association, Minden-Germantown Commission, and Minden Downtown Historic Residential District as well as serving as a member and treasurer for Cultural Crossroads.

He shared his expansive knowledge of area history as a popular speaker for local organizations and contributor to the Minden Press-Herald beginning with “Gleanings from Minden Newspapers” (1995-1996), followed by “Tapestries of Webster Parish” (1996-1997), a monthly column on Webster Parish history, and the weekly column “Echoes of Our Past” (2000-2019). As an author, he contributed articles to the professional publications of the Louisiana History Association, the Southern Historical Association, and the North Louisiana Historical Association to which he belonged. He published eleven books on the history of Minden and Webster Parish and contributed to many others. He continued to assist people with their genealogical pursuits after leaving his position as the Webster Parish Library’s genealogist to teach history and political science at BPCC. John’s contribution to Minden was recognized by the community in 2018 when he was named Minden’s Man of the Year.

John lived a quiet life of dedication to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was a long-time member of First Baptist Church, Minden, where he served as deacon, taught an adult men’s Bible class, and was a member of the Church Heritage Committee.

John was preceded in death by his parents, J. C. and Juanita Agan. Survivors include his sister, Suzanne Jameson, and husband, Bob, of Minden; and nephews: John Jameson and wife, Faith, of San Diego, California; David Jameson of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Paul Jameson of Minden.

The family asks that memorials be given to the Dorcheat Historical Association & Museum, Inc. or The Gideons International.