John Barfield

John William Barfield was born on February 8, 1927 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama to Lena (James) and Edgar Barfield. Mr. Barfield’s family came to Ypsilanti during World War Two. Barfield After serving in the United States Army, Mr. Barfield found work as a custodian at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and married Betty Williams. Mr. Barfield began the Barfield Cleaning Company in 1955 and would go on to become the most successful Black businessman in Ypsilanti’s history. He began staffing and manufacturing businesses, with the Barfield Manufacturing Company, often working with auto companies. Mr. Barfield has played a leading role in local philanthropy, including the Parkridge Community Center. He passed away on January 2, 2018, at his home in Ann Arbor, Michigan.