Donald William Carrick Sr.

Donald William Carrick Sr., age 78, of Bay Mills, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on September 4, 2025. He was born on December 20, 1946, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Levi and Agnes (LeBlanc) Carrick as the oldest of 14 children and sharing the rarity of having a twin brother, Ron. Don, known by many as Don Ho, was a natural jokester, very witty, and had an exceptionally inquisitive ability to know how things work, and along-side his twin would often dismantle and reassemble various pieces of equipment of their parents, with the exception of their mother's sewing machine; which was later found by their mother to not work and their dad ultimately was unable to put back together. He loved cars and he and his twin built their first car, a Coup, together. One day he found a car similar to that Coup, purchased it, and often showcased it in the Brimley 4th of July parades. He also purchased other classic cars which included a Nova, which his kids fondly called "The Grocery Getter", a 1967 Chevelle, and an Oldsmobile Cutlass. A story often told which encompasses his characteristics was when Don and Ron got a car from their grandpa LeBlanc, which they would hop in and push each other up and down the road to enjoy riding in the car. Uncle Harry Parker once took notice and came to assist. Uncle Harry told them to jump in and that he would push so they could pop the clutch to get the car going. After several attempts, Uncle Harry opened the hood to find no motor. Always a trickster! Don graduated from Brimley High School and attended Lake Superior State College of Michigan Technological University. He married his high school sweetheart, Violet "Ellen" Logan, on March 19, 1966. Together they began a life full of love, family, and adventure raising their five children. The couple moved to Davison, Michigan, where Don worked for General Motors for nine years before moving back home to Bay Mills, where Don worked as a commercial fisherman, youth coordinator and dispatcher for the Bay Mills Indian Community. He later found his true calling in law enforcement as a Bay Mills Police Officer, then a Deputy and Detective for the Chippewa County Sheriff Department upon retiring in 2005. Don loved being in the outdoors and enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping, especially at his favorite spots like Monocle Lake and Indian Landing. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycles; of which he had many over the years. He was naturally athletic and enjoyed many years playing on local softball and basketball teams and enjoyed playing "Horse" or "Pig" at the family functions with his grandchildren and joking with them. He also loved music, and self-taught himself to play various instruments including the ukulele, organ, piano, harmonica and many different guitars. He loved playing his instruments as he would sing Elvis, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash songs. To challenge himself he even purchased a violin. He enjoyed spending time with friends at the 3:00 O'clock "meetings" at Cozy Inn on 'Ho Row', as it was fondly called. He also looked forward to the many phone calls and visits with his long-time school friend, Lynn Sutton. Don will be remembered for his strength, humor, and unwavering support for those he cared about. Don is survived by his children: Beverly Carrick of Bay Mills, Sheri (Jeff) Graham of Brimley, Donald (Tammy Schopp) Carrick Jr of Brimley, Debbie (Jim) Wilson of Bay Mills, and Robert Carrick (Jenna Somes) of Bay Mills; grandchildren: Stephanie (Matt) Phipps, Carrie Aikens, Amber Aikens, Brent (Chelsea) Aikens; Tommy (Taylor) Aikens, Autumn Aikens and Victoria Aikens, Jeffrey Graham Jr., Jessica (Nick DeLuca) Graham, Justin Graham, Tabitha (Russell Holden) Graham, Alyssa (Freddie) Jacobs, Megan (Tony) Ringuette, Amanda Carrick, Donald (Kaleigh) Carrick III, Daniel Carrick, Derek Carrick, Johnathon (Erika) Wilson, Mindy (Lance) Piche, Brandon Carrick, and Logan (Adam) Mullins; great-grandchildren: Iris, Natalie, Haven, and Renli Aikens; Jalen and Keeley Stephan; Liam, Wyatt and Hadley Aikens; Cooper and Aubrielle Phipps; Noah, Lleyton, Landon and Leo DeLuca; Myla and Hazel Holden; Ella, Sophia and Jerrick Jacobs; Micailly, Amara, Kayden, Karter and Finn Ringuette; Keena Carrick; Ondra Shannon; Xander Carrick; Daymion and Luxton Piche; Jensen and Conrad Wilson and Adleigh and Braxton Mullins and one on the way in October. Siblings: Wanda (Mike) Perron of Bay Mills, Cheryl (Ray) Baragwanath of Bay Mills, Levi (Millie) Carrick of Bay Mills, Justin (Karen) Carrick of Bay Mills, Allen "Joe" (Patty) Carrick of Bay Mills, Paula Carrick of Bay Mills, Terry (Jolynda Brown) Carrick of Bay Mills, Marcia (Tom) Malloy of Brimley, Twyla (Norm) Ball of Brimley, Lynn (Renee Pilcher) Carrick of Sault Ste. Marie, and Linda Carrick of Frisco, Texas and his beloved fur-baby Stormy and parakeets, now named Don Ho and Ron Ho. Don was preceded in death by his wife, Ellen Carrick; parents, Levi and Agnes; siblings, Ronald Carrick, Dale Carrick Sr. and Joyce Carrick; and sister in-law, Linda Carrick and brother in-law, George Logan. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at St. Kateri Tekakwitha, 12014 W. Lakeshore Dr. Brimley, MI 49715, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The Mass Service will start immediately after the visitation has concluded at 1:00 PM. Donations in Don's name can be made to Ball Hospice House, 308 W. 12th Avenue, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 or to Chippewa County Animal Shelter, 3660 S Mackinac Trail, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783. Family Life Funeral Homes – Sault Ste. Marie assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.