Mike "John" CARMICAL

CARMICAL, Mike "John"

Mike (John) Carmical, 58, died Sept. 14, in Round Rock, Texas.

A native of Mobile, Alabama, he was the son of Mary and Guinn Carmical, and lived throughout the United States and Europe as part of an Air Force family.



Some of his most cherished memories were the years he spent in Colorado Springs, Colo., where his family home backed up against a drive-in movie theater. Family and friends remember him as the boy who crawled under the fence to catch the show.

A self-described gadget addict and electronics guru, Mike worked for Sears for many years in Mobile. He left the company's IT department in 2000 to head west to Texas, where he met and married his wife, Nancy.



In Austin, he worked for a number of firms as a LAN administrator before leaving to pursue a career in real estate. Sadly, he was diagnosed with colon cancer two months ago. Mike loved his adopted city, embracing the live music culture to the fullest. He was often seen at The Roost, or the Saxon Pub, and could be found wherever Van Wilks was performing. He was open minded, extremely kind, and embraced different cultures, traditions and people without hesitation or judgment.

He knew no strangers -- from the ladies at the local Sonic Drive -In, to the clerk at the convenience store. He would acknowledge everyone with a sincere "how's your day going" instead of "hello."



Mike loved children. He was an advocate for those in foster care, as well as immigrant refugees in Austin. He studied Spanish online so he could be ready to reach his retirement goals of working as a CASA volunteer and helping new immigrants with computer literacy at Casa Marianella in Austin.

His family is heartbroken to lose a husband, godfather, uncle, and friend so soon. Please celebrate his life with them at "Open Mic for Mike" an afternoon of storytelling at River Place Country Club, 4207 River Place Blvd. from 2-4 pm on September 27th, in Austin, Texas. Burial will be private.

If you are not able to join us in Austin, please consider donating your time or money to Casa Marianella in Austin, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or your local CASA. Raise a glass of orange juice at Mike's favorites in Austin, The Omelettry on Burnet, Jim's on 183 at Spicewood Springs (ask for Sherry's section), or at your local Waffle House.

In addition to his wife Nancy, Mike is survived by his best friends Mike Brantley and Roland Fields, godchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews, cousins, extended family, and many, many friends. We are grateful for the compassionate care he received from the team at Cornerstone Hospital in Round Rock and Doctor Tovar. We are also most grateful for the unconditional help and support from our honorary niece and nephews, Laurel, Kendell and Kheran Joseph of Austin.