In Loving Memory
Harry Andonian, PhD
February 11, 1924 – June 20, 2025
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Harry Andonian, PhD, 101, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2025, in Canton,
Georgia. Born on February 11, 1924, in Detroit, Michigan, Harry lived an extraordinary
life filled with courage, dedication, discipline, and deep love for his family and country.
Born to Armenian immigrants, from a young age, Harry was drawn to the skies. He
began his distinguished aviation career during World War II with the Ferrying Division of
the Air Transport Command, flying nearly every aircraft in the Army Air Forces' inventory
during 1944 and 1945. His service included deployment to the China-Burma-India
Theater and later participation in the Berlin Airlift.
A graduate of the Empire Test Pilot School, Harry became a key figure at the Air Force
Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base. As Chief of the Special Projects
Operations Branch, he led testing for the U-2 program, logging 340 development flights
in the U-2A/B/D and conducting evaluations of the U-2C. His work shaped Cold War
reconnaissance capabilities.
He also served as an F-4 squadron commander in Vietnam, amassing nearly 300
combat flight hours. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1971 with the rank of Lt.
Colonel, and ultimately flew more than 27,500 hours in over 300 types of aircraft in his
lifetime—including the B-47, B-52, KC-135A, CH-47, and C-141.
Following his military career, Harry continued working with E-Systems until 1988 and
later served as an FAA-designated pilot examiner. He flew his beloved Beech Debonair
regularly until the age of 97. When asked if he'd had a good day, he would tell his
grandson, "Any day that I fly is a good day".
Harry's distinguished career earned him numerous honors, including the FAA Wright
Brothers Master Pilot Award and induction into the Flight Test Historical Foundation
Gathering of Eagles. He was a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots and a
proud member of a generation that pushed the boundaries of aviation. He was inducted
into the Aerospace Walk of Honor in Lancaster, California in September 2009, one of
only 100 honorees.
As part of his lifelong love of learning, Harry received his Doctorate in Education in 1992
at the age of 68.
Beyond his achievements in flight, Harry was a man of routines, humor, and great heart.
He read voraciously, completed daily crossword puzzles in pen, and was known for his
expertly made Bloody Marys. He loved movies, stayed sharp with Words with Friends,
and remained dedicated to morning exercises and healthy living well into his 90s.

He is survived by his five children, daughter, Andrea (Hilary) Griffiths, son, Gary
(Suzanne) Andonian, daughter Leslie (Marc) Andonian-Bouwsma, son Keith (Kathy)
Andonian, daughter Stacy, and many loving nieces and nephews.
He was a loving grandfather to Nathan, Nicholas, Tyler, Jason, Ian, Kelli, Daniel and
Christopher, and a joyful great-grandfather to Owen, Adrian, Morgan, Lucas, Theodore
and Reese.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Bette, his second wife Betty,
parents, Barounag and Hanem, and his siblings Walter, Samuel, Andrew, George, and
Rose.
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A memorial service will be held in Greenville, Texas, at a date to be announced
later.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
Flight Test Historical Foundation
P.O. Box 57
Edwards, CA 93523
Amedisys Foundation (Hospice)
3854 American Way, Suite A
Baton Rouge, LA 70816
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"To most, the sky is the limit. To those who love aviation, the sky is home."
Harry Andonian's life was a remarkable flight through history—and love. His memory will
forever soar in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.