Thon Griffith

Thon Griffith, 89, ascended peacefully to heaven on March 6, 2013 in the comfort of her Newport Beach home in the company of her husband of eleven years, Bob DeLong. Thon was born in Los Angeles, California on April 23, 1923.

Thon is survived by her husband Bob DeLong; sons Bailey Abbott (wife, Janice), Sheldon Abbott and Morgan Abbott (wife, Libbie); her daughter Stancie Foss (husband, Tom); grandchildren Taylor Foss (wife, Leslie), Carrie Dunn (husband, Simon), Jewel Greywoode; and great grandchildren Audrey Greywoode, Vivienne Greywoode, Calvin Foss, Lincoln Foss and Lucy Dunn.

Thon loved to fly. In 1961 she began flying private aircraft and joined the Ninety-Nines, the International Organization of Women Pilots, helping to found the Orange County chapter. Thon held most of the chapter offices, served on the International Board of Directors for ten years and as International President from 1978-1980. The first International President of the Ninety-Nines was Amelia Earhart in 1931.

Thon competed in three All Women Transcontinental Air Races, (Powder Puff Derby) and the International Air Race (Angel Derby) from New Orleans to Managua, Nicaragua. She served on the Aeronautics Advisory Committee for Cypress College and as a Director of the National Pilots Association. In 1992 she was awarded the International Ninety-Nines Award of Merit. Thon flew a Beechcraft P58 Baron as a corporate pilot for 15 years. She flew with her late husband George Griffith throughout the United States, Canada, Alaska, the West Indies, South America, Mexico and Central America. Thon served as Treasurer of Silver Wings, an organization of Pilots who have flown for 25 years or more.

In lieu of flowers:
Amelia Earhart Memorial Scholarship Fund
4300 Amelia Earhart Drive
Oklahoma City, OK 73159