Anthony Tyrone Harbin

The Obituary

Anthony Tyrone Harbin was born in Inkster, Michigan on March 12, 1949 to the late Alfred Harbin Sr. and Miranda Vera Harbin. At the age of 11, Anthony was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. His parents worked diligently to manage his diabetes, and Anthony maintained the discipline necessary to control his diabetes for his entire life, with no complaints. Nor did he let being a diabetic affect his dreams and aspirations! He always believed that during his lifetime, a cure would be found for diabetes.

Anthony T. Harbin, also known as AT, was an Entrepreneur in every sense of the word. He was well-read, strong, generous, not afraid to take risks, had a business acumen and a passion for real estate. He started out like most boys with a paper route, then he had vending machines; and at the age of 16, he opened Tony’s Restaurant on Elmhurst and Dexter, which was operated by his Mother, Vera Harbin. After graduating from Mackenzie High School, he attended Shaw College of Detroit, and University of Detroit.

At an early age, God blessed AT with the ability to think BIG and Walk by Faith not by Sight! However, he never forgot his roots and he was committed to support his entire family and spread the wealth wherever he could. At 23 years old, shortly after his marriage to Sharon B. Harbin, Anthony bought a landscaping business called Michigan Landscaping. He partnered with his Father in law, Mr. Littman, who trained AT and their staff, since he had the aptitude for landscaping. Anthony employed his brothers, friends, and other young men in the community. In 1975, at the age of 26, he opened A T Harbin Realty and Management Company on Grand River in Detroit’s Rosedale Park community. Anthony purchased two office buildings from B.E. Taylor, the heir of the B.E. Taylor subdivision developer. A.T. Harbin Realty and Management company had 40 employees ranging in age from 18 to 60, many of which were family members and friends. They successfully managed distressed property in the inner city for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). Anthony purchased a portion of his management portfolio from another management entity, and transformed their failing situation into a lucrative business, although at times, he and his wife Sharon could not take a salary. Anthony was the first African American in Michigan to receive the Certified Property Manager (CPM) designation, in 1976. He encouraged all his employees to get an education and obtain their real estate licenses. Several of his employees went on to open their own businesses, as builders, real estate appraisers, real estate assessors, and property managers. The 18-year-old employee became the superintendent of building maintenance for the Coleman A Young Municipal Building in downtown Detroit. Anthony went from residential property management to commercial property; and managed the Virginia Park shopping center in Detroit. Next, he pursued development and worked on the first Fat Burger Restaurant in Michigan, and the first Rally Burger Restaurant in Detroit. He was also the general contractor and constructed a 5,000 S.F. building on Grand River comprised of general office space and a dental office. He was given the “Spirit of Detroit” award for this construction project because it represented one of the first new commercial developments in the city in decades.

Anthony continued to escalate, as he expanded his real estate expertise to Acquisition and Negotiation, with a company named Consulting Acquisition Services. He obtained the IRWA designation. His negotiation skills allowed him to participate in the strategic placement of cell towers, and secure lease agreements throughout the Detroit metro area for Ameritech. In 1996, Anthony and Sharon Harbin attended a meeting in Huntsville, Alabama, where Motorola, A T & T, Nextel, and others introduced the cell phone PCS (personal computer system). Following this meeting, he got involved with bidding on spectrum with the FCC. Anthony referred to this as “real estate in the sky.” In a partnership agreement, as a member of Grand Wireless Company, he worked with a game theorist, and the company successfully won cable licenses for ½ of Puerto Rico and the upper peninsula of Michigan. Grand Wireless, ultimately sold their interest to Sprint. However, during the 10 years that Grand Wireless was growing, Anthony had a vision to give Starbucks some competition. He ventured into the coffee business at the suggestion of his Brother Pierre Andre, and also got his son, Anthony II involved. He made a trip to Ethiopia and opened Global Cup Coffee LLC. The company imported and sold specialty blended Fair trade coffee. Anthony believed in Branding and recognized it as a key component to a successful business. He liked the best of the best. When he renovated a rental property, he often over improved it, saying “I ‘m fixing up this property as if I am going to live here.” His interest in real estate investments extended from Harlem, NY to waterfront property on Lake Michigan in Traverse City.

Anthony loved all kinds of music, but he especially liked Jazz greats like Johnny Hartman and Barry Harris. He also thoroughly enjoyed opera singers, Kathleen Battle, Pavarotti, Andrea Bocelli, and Denyce Graves. In addition, Anthony had an amazing eye for Art. He collected various types of art from local, national, and international artists. Anthony supported the Juvenile Diabetes Association and the Boys Club of America, where he became an honorary underage member, because his Father worked there.

In 1974, Anthony and his wife Sharon pioneered to Northville Township and bought their first home. As the second black family that moved into this community, Anthony often experienced the arrests that occur because of Driving While Black, but he was never intimidated. He also purchased an office building in downtown Northville, and managed to completely rehabilitate and occupy it, despite the extra added pressure that the city of Northville imposed. Anthony was a Fighter!

It was always evident that Anthony trusted GOD, and that he had the favor of the Lord. In 1986, he became a member of Word of Faith International Christian Center. After joining Word of Faith, he learned more about the word of GOD, and his relationship with GOD was magnified. When Anthony had a health challenge or when any weapon was formed against him, he never wavered, he remained positive and he ALWAYS fought the good fight of Faith! His son, Anthony II can attest to that because he witnessed his comeback from a stroke. With that spirit, he counseled and encouraged many people. Anthony loved to communicate and spend time with his children. Whenever they sought his advice, he always tried to accommodate them. In 1991, Anthony was ecstatic to receive the Father of the Year award from Mercy High School, based on an essay written by his daughter, Antonia.

Anthony T. Harbin made his transition on November 12, 2020. He was preceded in death by his sister, Janet Harbin, son Derrick Harbin, brothers, Alfred Harbin Jr and Ricardo Harbin. He is survived by the love of his life, Sharon B. Harbin; his daughters Tonya M. Wall, Antonia B. (Michael) Lamb, Bianca (Keith) Smith; his son Anthony T. Harbin II; grandchildren, Kelli Wall, Gianna Smith, Giselle Smith, Kannon Smith, Kamille Smith, and Brielle Smith; sisters, Stephanie Harbin and Janice Harbin-Joseph; brothers, Dwain (Carolyn) Harbin, Pierre Harbin, Jack Harbin, his loyal friend, James R. Demick, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Joel 3:10-----Let the Weak Say I am Strong

Donations may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Association in his name.

Public Viewing: 

Swanson Funeral Home
14751 W. McNichols Rd
Detroit, MI 48235

Monday, November 23, 2020

1:00 - 6:00 pm

Family Hour: 

Swanson Funeral Home
14751 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

9:30 am

Funeral Service: 

Swanson Funeral Home 
14751 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit, MI 48235

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

10:00 am 

Interment:

Woodlawn Cemetery
Detroit, MI 48203

Click link to view service: https://youtu.be/uqodgCHxzi4