Lindsay Covey had only been married for a few months when she got a phone call from her grandfather. In a rush of excitement Jim Carmichael told her he had a big surprise for her at his house. Used to her grandfathers generosity, she and her new husband Mike paid him a visit only to learn the surprise wasnt for them exactly.
Standing next to his garage, the man who had served as an Ohio state representative proudly displayed his brand new scooter, eager to ride alongside his motorcycle-loving grandchildren. That scooter would become a fixture at the Wayne County Administration Buildings parking lot as Carmichael would spend the next several years serving as a county commissioner.
Just remembering how excited her grandfather was over his scooter made Covey laugh as she recalled the man who inspired her growing up. It was one of many memories she will cherish about her grandfather, who passed away unexpectedly on July 13 at the age of 76.
Carmichael had been serving as a commissioner for Wayne County when he passed. At the time he had built a strong reputation in the community as a man who spoke his mind, got things done and believed in punctuality. He had become a mentor for many aspiring to life in public service, having served as the chairman of the Wayne County Republican Party, the mayor of Shreve and from 2001 to 2009 as an Ohio state representative.
On July 17 his family and friends including Ohio Secretary of State Jon Husted and former Ohio Senate President Tom Niehaus gathered to honor Carmichaels life at the Zion Lutheran Church in Loudonville.
While his family including wife Carolyn, two daughters, two surviving stepsons, six grandchildren and two sisters are all proud of his accomplishments, they will miss his kindness, generosity and quirky habits the most.
Before Carmichael became one of Wayne Countys most prominent politicians, his daughters remembered him working as a meter reader for what would become Dominion East Ohio Gas. He would eventually work his way up to district manager in the Wooster region.
He had a blue collar lifestyle growing up and was proud of how far he went professionally and personally, his daughter Keely Zemrock said.
Zemrock was only 6 when her father decided to run for office. The whole family got involved with Zemrock and her sister Debbie Carmichael Crump knocking on doors, asking people to vote for their dad. It worked. In 1971 Carmichael became the Mayor of Shreve.
I remember him waking us up at midnight to tell us he won the election, Zemrock said.
Growing up, Zemrock would learn a lot from her father: the importance of good work ethic, punctuality and public service.
It was Carmichael who convinced his daughter to begin working in the county auditors office. Im really not a political person, said Zemrock, who is now the countys chief deputy auditor. He said this would be a good opportunity, and I always took his advice, and Ive been there ever since.
Zemrock said she didnt always see eye to eye with her father, but she still enjoyed working with him. That was a sentiment shared by many.
Although you didnt always like what he had to say, you liked him for saying it, fellow Wayne County Commissioner Scott Wiggam shared at Carmichaels memorial service.
Wiggam said he admired Carmichael, especially for his ability to interact with people.
I would think to myself, This mans social IQ is off the charts, Wiggam said.
His large personality and public persona aside, Commissioner Ann Obrecht said it was Carmichaels private life that mattered most to him. He truly loved his family. He cherished his wife, loved his family, loved his smaller community, she said.
At work the three commissioners had developed strong friendships as well, Obrecht said. Holding meetings without Carmichael has been hard. Its leaving a big hole here in our office, she said. Our office here and staff, were mourning, and also celebrating the things we remember about Jim.
