by
Michael George
A funeral mass will be held today for Michael George, a Detroit native and legend in the Metro Detroit Chaldean community who co-founded Melody Farms Dairy and helped many Chaldeans get their start in business after the Detroit riots. He died Tuesday at age 81 after a long illness.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. at Mother of God Church, 25585 Berg Road in Southfield.
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George's passing was noted by dignitaries including Gov. Rick Snyder and U.S. District Judge Gerald Rosen, who has been instrumental in brokering the grand bargain in Detroit's bankruptcy. Rosen called him a "a treasure of our community.”
Born in 1932, he graduated from Catholic Central High School in 1950. George, his father Tom and his brother Sharkey started Tom George & Sons Dairy with $412, a coffee table and an 11-year-old truck to distribute Wilson’s dairy products, according to a press release.
After two years, from 1953-55, he went off to serve in the Army during the Korean War. Afterwards, he returned home and rejoined the family business, which was later known as Melody Farms.
The press release says that he "grew the company rapidly, both organically and through acquisitions, including Richardson Dairy, All Star Dairy, Sealtest Dairy, Twin Pines Dairy Company, Stroh’s Ice Cream and, ironically, the very first company with which he worked, Wilson’s Dairy."
After the 1967 Detroit riots, George encouraged Chaldean storeowners to stay in the city, and according to a press release, he "assisted many in their efforts to rebuild, open and buy more grocery and party stores. Eventually, over the course of 30 years, George helped finance over 700 new stores (many in Detroit). "
In 2003, Melody Farms was sold to Dean’s Foods in 2003 for a reported $40 to $50 million.
After that, he pursued other business ventures like real estate that included hotels, office buildings, and parking garages, and different industries, including food products, technology, banking and warehousing.
At one point he served on 19 boards simultaneously.
George was very active in the Chaldean community and was easily the highest profile figure and most recognizable name.
The press release said that he championed many causes for the Chaldean community as the former Chairman of the Chaldean Federation of America and as co-founder and past president of the Chaldean Iraqi American Association of Michigan.
He was also instrumental in establishing both the Southfield Manor and later the Shenandoah Banquet, Golf, Community and Conference Center.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Najat, their six sons and three daughter-in-laws, and 10 grandchildren.
