Victor Azad Avakian
November 10, 1918 - February 3, 2022
Fresno, California - Victor, 103 years old, passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Hinds Hospice.
He was born November 10, 1918 to Moses Avakian and Sarah (Mahdesian) Avakian in Fresno. Victor grew up in Fresno attending Fresno schools and graduated from Fresno High in 1937.
Victor volunteered for the US Army in April 1941 and served through December 1945. During these years, he was stationed and trained at Fort Ord and San Diego, CA and Camp Bowie in Brownwood, Texas. He was shipped overseas twice. First to the islands of Adak and Kiska in the Aleutians. He returned to Fort Ord and shipped out again to the South Pacific landing on the islands of New Guinea, New Caledonia, Leyte and the Subic Bay on Luzon in the Philippines.
Victor married Rose Boyajian in 1946. They were blessed with two children, Vernon and Patricia. They raised their family in Fresno. Victor was an automobile mechanic, working for his cousin, Beecher Avakian, then for the Fresno Ford Dealership, retiring in 1981. He was a long time member of the National Thunderbird Club and active in Fresno's local chapter. Victor and Rose enjoyed countless events and road trips with this group where he was the T-Bird "go to guy" for advice.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, sisters Anne Avakian, Mary Movsesian and Florence Mosesian. He is survived by his two children: Vernon (Lillian) Avakian of Fresno and Patricia (Robert) Greenberg of Pullman, WA; his grandchildren: Michael (Amanda) Avakian, Alan Avakian, Brandon (Angela) Avakian, Carissa Greenberg and Allison (Martin) Dawood; his great-grandchildren: Jacob Avakian, Kaitlyn Avakian, Emma Avakian, Logan Avakian, Tyler Avakian, Ryan Avakian, Adeline Dawood and Elijah Dawood.
A funeral service will be held February 19, 2022 at the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church in Fresno. Open casket viewing there from 9-10 am, service 10-11 am followed by a military ceremony and internment at Ararat Cemetery and then lunch at the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church Fellowship Hall. Flowers my be sent to Yost and Webb Funeral Home prior to the day of service. Remembrances may be sent to the Pilgrim Armenian Congregational Church or the donor's favorite charity.