Harris True

Mr. Harris Clayton True, Jr.87, of Louisville, passed away peacefully March 19, 2012 after a brief illness. He was born March 24, 1925 in Grant County, KY to Harris Clayton True, Sr. and Thelma (Threlkeld) True. He was married to Marjorie Wheeler, who predeceased him in 2005.

From an early age Harris was in love with airplanes and used every penny to ride with local pilots. He was a decorated combat aviator piloting more than fifty bombing missions in the Pacific during WWII. On one mission, his plane was badly damaged in combat, but he managed to complete the attack and return his crew safely. On another mission, a bomb stuck under his plane making it impossible to land forcing the crew and him to parachute.

After the war he studied Aeronautical Engineering at Univ. of Louisville, married, and had a long and rewarding career with General Electric where he was involved in the design of exhaust fans for your kitchen, and high efficiency CFM56 turbofan aircraft engines that have become the most successful and reliable engines of all time. He bemoaned the popularity of the eight-hour work day preferring longer hours and a regimented daily schedule. He was a test pilot of experimental XV-5 vertical lift-fan aircraft. He built and restored airplanes. He thoroughly enjoyed being a flight instructor and taught many students. He flew all over the world as a professional pilot until the age of 83.

Harris was an elder and Sunday school teacher in his church. He mastered many musical instruments and loved to play the piano. He will be remembered as a meticulous and hard worker who followed his childhood dreams of flying and made it his passion. His family and a host of others are left to cherish his memory. He will be laid to rest next to his wife at a private ceremony.

The family would like to express special thanks to the staff of Highlands Nursing & Rehabilitation Center for excellent care during his final days.