As a youngin’ he spent his summers in Jasper and Jamestown, Texas. He played with Aunt Helen’s children and they would go fishing and ride horses bareback. He would always talk about going swimming in the creek and would catch frogs.
He went to John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles. He ran track and was even on the football team. At one game he was tackled hard, and Laura ran out on the field to protect her baby! He graduated from Poly High in 1955 and went to San Jose State. He was also a member of the San Jose State track team. In spring of 1957, he was a part of the 2nd line to cross Kappa Alpha Psi, Delta Rho Chapter. He was Keeper of Records as well as Polemarch. He graduated from San Jose State in 1960.
Garfield entered the United States Army in February 1960. In 1961, he met this fine young thang at a Kappa Sweetheart party and started counting her freckles. She thought he was cute.
After a two-year enlistment, he transferred to the California National Guard, in 1962 where he was a Signal Platoon Leader for the 240th Signal Battalion.
In 1963, he married his freckled-faced sweetheart, Donna L. Scott, and in 1965 they had their first child, Yolanda.
He applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School in Fort Gordon, Georgia, eventually being commissioned as a second lieutenant, where he served as Communications Officer and Division Photo Officer.
In 1968, Garfield transferred again, this time, to the United States Army Reserve, where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. Between 1968 and 1990, Garfield served in the following positions: Executive Officer, 521 Army Security Battalion; Instructor, NCO Academy, 6220 USAR School; Recruiting Officer; Assistant Director, Enlisted Instruction; Headquarters Commandant (the First Black Commandant of the 63rd Army Reserve Command); Race Relations and Equal Opportunity Officer, 311th COSCOM; Staff Officer, G1 Section, 311th COSCOM; Instructor Command and General Staff College, 6222 USAR School; and Personnel Officer, Office of the Army Reserve (Pentagon). Lieutenant Colonel Finley’s military education included, Signal Officers Basic Course, Signal Officers Advanced Course, Adjutant General Advanced Course, and Command & General Staff College.
In 1970, they had their second child, John.
Beginning in 1972, Garfield began working as a volunteer for Special Olympics. A passion he molded and maintained for 44 years. He organized, refereed, and umpired games at the state level, national level, and the World Games. He served as venue manager for basketball and softball, was a member of the Sports Organizing Committee, acted as Coach for the 1999 men’s basketball team during the World Games, and, in 2003, was named Volunteer of the Year.
Among Garfield’s many awards, declarations and citations, were the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. He was awarded a Certificate of Commendation by the Los Angeles City Council for his leadership in the National Black Military Officers Association. In his civilian life, he was honored by the NAACP, Long Beach Chapter.
In 1982, he became a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi. He was a member of the Los Angeles Alumni Chapter. During his time with Los Angeles Alumni Chapter, he served on the Board of Directors, was the Chairman of the King Parade (2005-2011), mentored the Kappa League, other committees, and received the 2013 Thomas Bradley Achievement Award. He was an active and dedicated member of Kappa Alpha Psi.
From 1989 to 1996, Garfield served as the President of the National Association of Black Military Officers.
Garfield was also an Honorary Life Member of the Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation.
Garfield was a regional supervisor for 35 years for the Los Angeles County Department Parks & Recreation (Adult & Youth Sports), until his retirement.
In 2011, Garfield was the first African American to serve on the Board of Directors for Go For Broke National Education Center, which honors the sacrifices made by Japanese American soldiers of World War II.
Garfield is survived by his Sweetheart of 56 years, Donna Finley; his children Yolanda and John; grandchildren Andre Sr. (Tadashia) and Alexa; his great grandsons, Andre Jr., Andrew, and Anaz; his sister Arena Long; and his extended family and a host of loving friends he’s cherished over the course of a rich lifetime.
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