Jon Eric Barfield was born on November 3, 1951 in Ypsilanti, Michigan to the late John William Barfield and Betty Jane Barfield.

Jon E. Barfield was President and Chief Executive Officer of LJ Holdings Investment Company, LLC with interests in venture capital, real estate and human capital services. In February 2012, Mr. Barfield retired as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bartech Group, Inc., an industry-leading professional services firm delivering talent management and managed service provider solutions to Global 1000 firms. Jon started his career with Sidley Austin, LLP, one of the nation’s leading law firms, practicing corporate and securities law. In July 1999, The Wall Street Journal described Jon Barfield and the company he led for 32 years as one of “America’s great success stories.”

Mr. Barfield serves on the board of directors of CMS Energy (NYSE:CMS). He served as a director of Good Technology prior to its acquisition by BlackBerry Limited in 2015. He served as lead independent director of BMC Software prior to its acquisition by a private equity consortium led by Bain Capital in 2013. He also served as a director of Motorola Mobility Holdings, Inc. prior to its acquisition by Google, Inc. in 2012; Dow Jones & Company prior to its acquisition by News Corporation in 2007; and National City Corporation prior to its merger with PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. in 2008.

Mr. Barfield received the 2008 National Minority Supplier Development Council Leadership Award, the highest honor given to a business owner, recognizing superior achievement in entrepreneurism. Mr. Barfield received the 2009 Association of Black Princeton Alumni’s Distinguished Alumni Award. In 2011, He received the 2011 Boy Scouts of America Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, awarded to Eagle Scouts who as adults “continued to live out the integrity and morals rooted in scouting” and have impacted their community through service.

Mr. Barfield was a retired director of several non-profit institutions. He was a charter trustee emeritus of Princeton University and emeritus trustee of the Community Foundation for Southeastern

Michigan. He was also a retired director of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Business Leaders for Michigan, The Henry Ford Museum, Boy Scouts of America, Reading is Fundamental and Kettering University.

Jon graduated with honors from Princeton University in 1974 and received a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1977.

Jon grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan with his five siblings: Angela, Aaron, Bonnie, Lisa and David. Jon married Norma C. Barfield on May 28, 1977. To their union were born two children: Elaine Betty Barfield and Jon William Barfield. At the time of his death, Jon was able to see his two small granddaughters born to Jon William Barfield and Stephanie Durden Barfield, Sienna Nicole Barfield and Skylar Grace Barfield. They were a great joy to his spirit.

Jon married Dr. Vivian Carpenter on December 31, 2008 in Las Vegas and reaffirmed their union on May 24, 2009 with Rev. Charles G. Adams presiding in LaJolla, California. He and his wife, Dr. Vivian Carpenter, maintain residences in San Diego, California; Birmingham, Michigan; and Tallahassee, Florida. As a couple they enjoyed traveling the world, often on four-month long cruises on board the Crystal Serenity ship.

Jon was also a gifted saxophonist who played by ear. Playing in the band and golf became his passions in retirement. Jon organized his own band, “Irresistable” to support his efforts with Vivian to save the Music Hall from foreclosure in 2016. They raised $1.7 million and as a result the doors of the Music Hall are still open today. Jon held golf memberships in the USGA Seniors Golf Association, Oakland Hills Country Club, The Santaluz Club and Pine Valley.

Jon was loved by many. He is remembered by most as a man with a gentle spirit and loving heart who lived his life to the fullest regardless of the constraints of ALS in his final years.

Jon is also mourned by a host of aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, in-laws, friends, two stepdaughters and two stepdaughters.