Anthony Emanuel Klenakis, 85, passed peacefully on Friday, October 24, 2025 after a brief illness.
Tony or Coach Klenakis was born on July 1, 1940, to Christos and Lucille Galanis Klenakis in Springfield, MA. He was the middle of three children and grew up amidst a large Greek family in Agawam, MA. Tony’s passion for sports was evident as a youth; his strength, agility, and dedication made him a standout on the gridiron. Playing all four years in high school, he won All-Star Western Massachusetts and championships. He was also a standout athlete in baseball and hockey.
Upon graduation from high school in 1959, he headed west to Trinidad Junior College in Colorado and played football there for two years. Wanting more, he headed west once again to attend the University of Nevada Reno. While there he played football and baseball and pursued the love of his life, Norma Sheley. He graduated from UNR in 1961 with a BA in education and married Norma.
Coach Klenakis began his teaching career at Wooster High School in Reno where he coached football and basketball. On summer breaks, Tony pursued his Master’s degree in school administration, which he obtained in 1964.
Their first son, Chris, was born in 1964 and in 1966, the young family moved to Fallon where Tony taught history, PE, and health at Churchill County High School. He was the head football coach for the varsity team, an assistant baseball coach, and the driving force that began the wrestling program at CCHS. In 1967, their second son, Tony, was born. Coach Klenakis was not just a coach, but also a mentor and father figure to many young men. He taught them to practice hard and play easy. He taught them about integrity and honor in all things. While he was tough, he never expected anything from his players that he himself was not willing to do. He led his teams to three straight state championships in 1976, ’77, and ’78.
In the summers, the family would pack up the truck and horse trailer and head to Boise, ID where they raced horses at Les Bois. Coach Klenakis left CCHS in 1980 and headed to California where he trained thoroughbred horses and traveled the race circuit. In the early 2000s, he moved Klenakis Racing Stables to Arizona where he trained the thoroughbreds until his retirement in 2019. Upon moving back to Fallon, he didn’t sit idle but, went to work as a cashier at Walmart and enjoyed seeing friends, former players and being part of a team.
Tony’s life was so rich, diverse and full of adventure. He loved sports whether he was playing, watching, or coaching—he always strived to be better and better others. No matter how long he was away from Massachusetts, his love for the Boston Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins never wavered. He was an avid reader, loved Jeopardy, loved opera, ballet and musicals. He cherished his time with friends and family.
Tony is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Marie, brother-in-law Gary, son Tony, and infant grandson Antaeus.
Tony is survived by his wife of 62 years, Norma, son Chris (Louise), daughter-in-law Kim, grandchildren Nikos, Lucy, Matthew, Mark, and Elizabeth, brother John (Ann), brother-in-law Charles (Katherine), numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fallon Greenwave Quarterback Club.
A memorial service will be held at Parkside Bible Fellowship on Saturday, November 15, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. A private burial will be done at another time.
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