Dr. John (Jack) Hector Carmichael, 92

May 05, 2025

Dr. John (Jack) Hector Carmichael went home to be with his Lord and Savior on May 5, 2025. He was the beloved husband and best friend of Carolyn Wilson Carmichael, who preceded him in death on January 23, 2024. Jack and Carolyn joyfully celebrated 60 years of marriage in 2023.

Born on February 15, 1933, in Brooklyn, New York, Jack was the son of John Hector and Sadie Carmichael, who had immigrated from Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. He was the younger brother of the late Shirley Carmichael. The Carmichaels were active members of a Scotch Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn, where Jack’s lifelong faith took root.

Education and Military Service

Jack attended PS9 Elementary School in Brooklyn before his family relocated to Belmont, Massachusetts, where he graduated from high school in 1950. A first-generation college student, he earned an associate degree in Business from Fisher Junior College in 1952. Many mentors throughout Jack’s life recognized his academic giftedness and encouraged him to pursue further education. A Brooklyn children’s librarian first planted the idea, inspiring the family’s move to Boston so Jack could attend a stronger school. Later, a professor at Fisher College saw his potential and encouraged him to continue his studies, a theme that shaped Jack’s path and reflected the lasting impact of those who believed in him.

Jack then enlisted during the Korean War. He trained as a paratrooper and completed Officer Candidate School, serving as a First Lieutenant and Platoon Leader in the 505th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. After the armistice, he resumed his education at Suffolk University, earning a BS in Business in 1956. He later completed a master’s degree at Columbia University Teachers College (1964) and an MBA and PhD in Business Management from Michigan State University (1968). A gifted athlete, Jack excelled in basketball during high school and continued to compete at the collegiate level.

Marriage and Family

Jack met Carolyn Wilson during a stay at the Word of Life Inn in the summer of 1962, where she was serving as Social Director. Their courtship blossomed through letters and Jack’s visits in his single-engine plane. They married on June 15, 1963, and were blessed with two daughters, Elizabeth and Kimberly. The same year Kimberly was born, Jack authored Stars and Stripes: The Complete Story of Our Flag. As a vexillologist, Jack spoke widely at civic venues and community gatherings.

Career

A lifelong learner with a passion for business and entrepreneurship, Jack began working at the age of 10, collecting scrap metal at his uncle’s converted Studebaker factory during World War II. Over the years, he held a wide variety of jobs—including waiter, apartment broker, sales representative for Carters, stenographer, journalist, and developer of asynchronous education laboratory programs in STEM and languages, created in response to the launch of Sputnik in 1957.

From 1964 to 1966, Jack taught business and accounting at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. While teaching at Taylor University in the 1960s, Jack partnered with Ford Motor Company to help non-traditional students earn college degrees. He pioneered weekend courses and when existing accrediting bodies resisted innovation, began laying the groundwork for a new one, prompting the original accrediting body to reconsider its position. Jack was always an advocate for those facing barriers to education.

After completing his PhD, Jack served as Dean of Learning Resources at Essex County Community College in Newark, NJ. From 1974 to 1980, he was President of Westmoreland County Community College in Youngwood, PA, guiding the institution through its first accreditation. While there he earned the nickname “The Bald-Headed Dynamo” and was honored 1979 Citizen of the Year. He later served as President and Superintendent of Union County Technical Institute and Vocational School and concluded his professional career as Professor of Business at Union County College (now Union College), retiring in 2009.

Ministry and Faith

Jack came to know Jesus as his personal Savior as a young man. His faith was central to his life and vocation, and he shared his love for Christ openly with students, colleagues, and friends. He and Carolyn generously supported numerous missionaries, mission organizations, and Christian institutions, including Partners India, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, and The Navigators. After moving to Willow Valley Communities in 2009, Jack’s heart for ministry remained vibrant. He and Carolyn extended warm hospitality to missionaries on furlough at their Ocean Grove, NJ cottage and were active members of Grace Community Church during their years in Lancaster, where they found rich fellowship and spiritual nourishment.

 
Legacy

Jack is survived by his daughters, Elizabeth Strong (John) and Kimberly Thornbury (Kent Oldenburger), and by his grandchildren: Martha Scott Burton, Schyler Strong, William Stewart Burton, Eden Campbell, Katherine Elizabeth Thornbury, and Carolyn Taylor Thornbury. A devoted and loving father and grandfather, Jack will be deeply missed. He drew strength and purpose from Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for man.”

The family expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Willow Valley team and the many friends in Lancaster who enriched Jack’s life through their care, kindness, and companionship.

In lieu of flowers

Donations may be directed to Partners India, which advances leadership development, community engagement, and medical outreach through a Gospel-centered lens in India.
Sue, a former student leader at Intervarsity Christian fellowship and mentee of Carolyn Carmichael, co-founded Partners India with her husband Ashish. Jack and Carolyn were longtime mentors and supporters of their work.

An online memorial service will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, at 10:30 a.m. ET. Jack, along with his wife Carolyn, will then be laid to rest during a private burial service at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, Missouri. For details about the virtual service, please contact their daughter, Kimberly, at Kimberly.Thornbury@gmail.com.