George, a West Bloomfield resident was widely known for
being the founder of Melody Farms Dairy. The company was one of the largest
dairy companies in the state, and reported more than $150 million in yearly
sales during the 1990s. 

George’s legacy will live on in the countless number of
Chaldeans who turned to him for loans to help get their small businesses
started, and in the community organizations he

was influential in establishing.

  

George played a major role in the establishment of Southfield
Manor, and later the Shenandoah Country Club. He was the lead organizer of
for Bank of Michigan in Farmington Hills. George also served on as many as 19
business and community boards, and was the former chairman of the Chaldean
Federation of America.

  

“Michael J. George was a metro Detroit leader, known for
his community and business leadership, but also for his warmth and kindness. He
is a classic Michigan and American success story, building a family business
from a single milk route into the Melody Farms dairy business known to people
across the region. He was a driving force in the formation of the First Bank of
Michigan, focused on helping small businessmen grow and thrive. Detroit, and Michigan
as a whole, is a better place because of Michael J. George and the people he
inspired. Their success will be his legacy,” Gov. Rick Snyder said.