11/03/2025
Azad Husnian
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather Azad Varant Husnian, age 91, entered fully into the Kingdom of God on October 30, 2025.
A resident of Western North Carolina for the past 35 years, Azad was born on May 27, 1934, in the Bronx, New York City, as the only son of Armenian immigrants Humayiak and Siranouche Husnian. He spent his formative years in Los Angeles, CA, and became a journeyman pipe fitter as a young man after graduating from high school. Drafted into the U.S. Army at age 23, he went on to serve his country for 28 years, achieving the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before retiring in 1984.
Azad’s military career included the 82nd Airborne, Army Rangers, two tours of duty in Vietnam, and numerous operations in service of the Defense Department as an Intelligence Officer. Later in his career, he was the Senior Military Analyst for the Middle East, serving the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.
Among the many commendations and medals Azad received during his military career were the Bronze Star for Valor in Combat, the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement in Ground Operations, two Air Medals for Meritorious Achievement in Aerial Flight, the Army Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service in Vietnam, and the Legion of Merit Medal for exceptionally meritorious service while assigned to the Defense Intelligence Agency as a Senior Military Analyst for the Middle East.
Azad completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Nebraska and received his master’s degree in Middle East Studies from the University of Utah. A dream of his was to complete his doctoral degree at the same time, but he was called back into active service. He was a brilliant man and communicator, and was fluent in multiple languages, including Armenian, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Hebrew.
As a young man, Azad's interests included football and baseball, which he played in high school. He was an avid swimmer and became a beach lifeguard as a teenager. He was involved with scouting for many years both as a Boy Scout and later as a Girl Scout troop leader for his daughters.
Azad had a great interest in cars, particularly mechanics, which he learned in high school and later honed to service his own vehicles. He was a competent builder and handyman, in addition to his journeyman pipe fitting skills, which served him well when he lovingly renovated his in-laws’ 1925 farmhouse in Haywood County, NC.
After a miraculous healing from a near-death experience in 1975, Azad became a devoted follower of Christ. He was involved with Full Gospel Businessmen’s International and served a term as the president of the Christian Men of the Pentagon. Along with his wife, Margaret, he served in numerous other ministry roles.
After retiring in 1984 from the military, Azad and Margaret became the Directors of Stella Carmel, a Christian conference center of the Anglican Church’s Ministry Among the Jews (CMJ), in Haifa, Israel. This made use of Azad’s administrative, language, cultural, and handyman skills.
In 1990, the Husnians moved to WNC where Azad continued to help others as a Christian financial counselor as well as serving on the board of several ministries, including Haywood Christian Ministries.
Despite being a soldier here on earth, Azad ultimately knew that his citizenship is in heaven. He was always eager to help others in Jesus’ name and to put a smile on someone’s face. It was not unusual for him to leave a store clerk or a server at a restaurant with a word of encouragement or for him to answer the phone, “Good morning, God bless you, how may I help you?”
Azad is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret Rose (née Mease), a native of Canton, NC, and daughters Anita Wilt (Dan), and Anne Gentry (Ed), and sons (from his previous marriage) David (Woei Yu), and Gary (Shelly), as well as nine grandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents and his sister, Sirouhie (Siran) Marie.
The family would like to express our sincere appreciation and deep gratitude to the staff at Zebulon Doyle Alley State Veteran’s Home in Black Mountain, NC, especially the Delta wing staff. Their consistent and compassionate care for Azad while he has been a resident there has brought us great solace. We would also like to extend our thanks to Four Season’s Hospice for the kind and empathetic care offered to Azad in his final months.
A private burial will take place at the Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at Wells Funeral Home Event Center in Waynesville, NC, on Friday November 7th, 2025, at 2:00 pm. Reception will follow the service from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Wounded Warrior Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.
The family of Azad Varant Husnian has entrusted Wells Funeral Home of Canton with his care.
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