HERNANDO, FLORIDA - Arthur Louis Barfield, 93, passed away April 13, 2020 in Lecanto, Florida. Louis was born June 24, 1926 in Tampa, Florida to the late William Barfield and Agnus Alice Rosse. He was preceded in death by his late wife of 60 years, Edna Louise Barfield, and brother, Charles Williams Barfield. He is survived by his wife, Faye Pearson; one brother, Seth Marshall Smith (Janan) of Dade City, Florida; son, Michael Louis Barfield (Linda) of Winter Haven, Florida; son, Ricky D. Smith (Cathy) of Michigan, and daughter, Dyann Barfield Stroud (Wade) of North Carolina; grandchildren, Michael Louis Barfield Jr. (Jordan), Gabriel U’Donah Jonas (Helen), Steven Allen Barfield (Shannon), Summer Rachel Melin (Justin) and Aspen Michelle Leonard (Quinn) and nine great-grandchildren (Iris, Landon, Dylan, Chase, Kennedy, Hazen, Rory, Tate and Kasen).
Louis was a 25-year resident of Citrus County, original member of the Citrus County Airboat Club and all-around neighborhood ambassador to Willola Heights.
Louis married the late Edna Louise Barfield on October 2, 1948. They spent many of their 60 years together loving and caring for their children, their friends and their families. Louise Barfield passed of Alzheimer’s on January 8, 2009.
In 2009, Louis married Faye Pearson. Faye, Louis and Louise were childhood friends that grew up in Seminole Heights. Faye introduced Louis and Louise in 1948 and remained friends with Louise until her death.
Louis was born and raised in Seminole Heights and Gowers Corner area. Growing up during the Great Depression, he spent time at Mary Help of Christian orphanage prior to attending Jesuit High School. During high school, he was an ROTC member while working at the Tampa shipyard. He enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and at basic training was assigned to landing craft because of his experience around water and being a strong swimmer. He was a 1st invader in the battle of Iwo Jima, fought on February 19, 1945 in the Pacific front during World War II. During the battle, he was coxswain for both Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (LCVP) and Landing Craft Mechanized (LCM). His unit was awarded a Navy Unit Commendation for distinguished heroism against the enemy.
In 1952, he joined the city of Tampa Fire Department where he was stationed at Station 4 in Ybor City for nearly 20 years. He maintained a side job as a glazer and became sought after for customized glass work in Tampa. He enjoyed playing softball on the fire department team and was an avid spear fisherman. He enjoyed spending time water skiing with his family and friends. When he retired from the Tampa Fire Department in 1972, Louis and Louise moved to Marathon, Florida to pursue retirement as a commercial lobster fisherman where he ran 3 boats: the Green Hornet, Sally J and the Wa-Pa-Ho.
In 1981, he and Louise moved to Franklin, North Carolina where they were active members of the community and St. Francis of Assisi Catholic church for nearly 15 years. Louis was past president for Macon County church league softball, member of Knights of Columbus, and a volunteer youth baseball and basketball coach. Always quick to help a neighbor or friend, often lending time and his craftsman skill to others in need, Louis endeared himself to many expecting nothing in return.
Due to the current restrictions against large gatherings, a celebration of life was scheduled for June 29, 2020 at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida.