Gilbert Carmichael

Gilbert Ellzey "Gil" Carmichael

Meridian

Services for Gilbert Ellzey (Gil) Carmichael, will be Friday, February 5th, at 11 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Meridian, with Father David Johnson officiating. Wright's Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Gil, 88, passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016 at his residence. His roots in Mississippi run deep. He was born in Columbia, on June 27, 1927, the son of Calvin Ellzey Carmichael of the Goss community in Marion County and Clyde Myrna Smith Carmichael of Columbia.

He graduated from Columbia High School in 1944, served in the military from 1945-46, and graduated from Texas A&M in 1950 with a degree in business and a minor in petroleum engineering. Gil was commissioned as an officer in the Coast Guard in the Korean War, and during his service was awarded the Silver Life Saving Medal by the Secretary of the Treasury. He moved to Meridian in 1961 and began his own company which included two automobile dealerships and a real estate development company.

Gil was one of the founding creators of the University of Denver's Intermodal Transportation Institute. In 1998 he was appointed to the Amtrak Reform Council by Majority Leader Senator Trent Lott, and in January 1999 he became the council's chairman. President Ford appointed him a member of the National Transportation Policy Study Commission from 1976 to 1979. He served by Presidential appointment, on and as chairman of the National Highway Safety Advisory Committee to the Secretary of Transportation from 1973 to 1976. Gil was a pioneer in transportation in Mississippi. In 1987 he helped originate, author, and pass a 1077-mile statewide four-lane highway construction program, and was also instrumental in the creation of a 700-mile regional railroad in East Mississippi and West Alabama, now a major part of the Kansas City Southern Railroad.

He was recognized as a pioneer in state politics including running for statewide office as a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 1972, twice for governor in 1975 and 1979, and once for lieutenant governor in 1983.

Gil also loved his Scottish and Clarke County roots. He spent many hours at his family farm in DeSoto, Mississippi where he enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Carolyn Dean (Deanie) White Carmichael; his son, Gilbert Scott Carmichael and his wife, Laura; grandson, Gilbert Graham Carmichael of Meridian; sisters, Sue Horton of Enterprise, MS and Myrna Horton of Milford, PA; three step grandchildren, Matt Davis (Stacey), Brittany Griesser (Morgan) and Kimberly Corn (John); and a host of relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Clyde Carmichael.

Honorary pallbearers include Gilbert Graham Carmichael, Dan Horton, Hardy Graham, Jr., Gene Damon, John Robert Smith, Bob Dean and Jim Perry.

Visitation will be from 9-11 a.m. prior to the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Meridian at 1116 23rd Avenue. Online condolences may be given at www.wrightsfuneral.com.