Jack Carmichael
Jack Carmichael passed away on Tuesday, June 15 at his home in Janesville, CA at the age of 93 following several months of rehabilitation from a serious fall.
After he graduated from Seminary in 1952, he was called to active duty as a US Army Chaplain and served a combat tour of duty in the Korean Conflict. After Korea, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, NC. He made 66 parachute jumps while with the 82nd Airborne earning his “Master Wings.” He was always very proud of this accomplishment.
Jack married his first love Eunice in 1955 and they had three children. In 1960 he moved the family to Ohio where he attended Ohio University receiving his PhD in Guidance Counseling and Psychology. Then again, he moved his family to Cameroon, Africa in 1962 for two years where he acted as the Ohio University Overseas Representative for the Peace Corps Project supervising 40 Peace Corp volunteers.
Upon his return to the US, he worked at Central MO State University for 15 years as Assistant to the President, Central Missouri State University, and Director of the CMSU Foundation in Warrensburg, MO. At the same time, Jack became the Senior Pastor of the United Methodist Church in Knob Noster, MO for 9 years.
An opportunity presented itself for Jack to move his family to a small Northern California town known as Paradise. Jack became Senior Pastor in this beautiful church for 17 years. He and his wonderful wife Eunice were a team of teaching and spent many hours entertaining the sick in hospitals and rest homes by dressing as clowns. Eunice was a storyteller and admired by all that knew her. Eunice passed away in 1989.
Jack married Judy Zeitler in the fall of 2000. Jack retired from Craig Memorial Congregational Church in 2001 and he and Judy moved back to her childhood hometown in Janesville, CA. He became a volunteer chaplain at High Desert State Prison near Susanville and in 2005 was appointed Protestant Chaplain at California Correction Center (CCC) where he served until he retired in May, 2010. Jack preached numerous times at the United Methodist Church in Susanville, CA and found many followers of his one of a kind preaching and storytelling.
Jack had a positive attitude on health and aging. He participated in a 4-day weekly fitness routine at Any Time Fitness in Susanville. When he wasn’t at the gym, he walked 10,000 steps daily at home on his treadmill.
Jack requested no funeral services. He is survived by his wife Judy, daughters Ann and Dorothy, son Jack Jr, and three granddaughters, Emmalu, Neeka, and Ella.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either:
Craig Memorial Congregational Church, 5872 Oliver Rd, Paradise, CA 95969 (OR) Susanville United Methodist Church, 60 S. Lassen St, Susanville, CA 96130
