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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: rocker59 on May 21, 2024, 07:18:15 PM

Title: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: rocker59 on May 21, 2024, 07:18:15 PM: We've lost a good friend. Michael Carmack (kirby1923) passed away in Tehachapi California on March 28.

Mike was a staple at events here in Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri, and Arkansas, usually riding his old LeMans in from California.

He was a Navy F4 pilot during the Vietnam War, and went on to fly for FedEx for many years.

He was a hero and a heckuva guy. We'll miss him here in The Four States

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/bakersfield/name/michael-carmack-obituary?id=54802708
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: bobrebos1 on May 22, 2024, 05:48:58 AM: “Slow Salute”!
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Gliderjohn on May 22, 2024, 07:15:03 AM: Very sad to hear. Have met him a number of times. Quite the character. Know cause of death? He seemed to be in very good shape for his age.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: kballowe on May 22, 2024, 07:15:38 AM: Rest in peace, Michael.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on May 22, 2024, 07:17:52 AM: I've already seen this on another forum. Flew for FedX.. sure. The last I knew he was flying humanitarian aid for a NATO country, and for years he couldn't say just where he was. "Zulu plus 5." :smiley: "Dodged a missile today." We talked a fair amount about the little aircraft engine design he was putting into production. You can't imagine all the places he's been, things he's done. Truly "The world's most interesting man."
He never mentioned any health issues.
Dammit! That's two really good guys this week..Ron and now Mike.
RIP, Mike.. and have a good trip West.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: rocker59 on May 22, 2024, 08:01:06 AM: Quote from: Gliderjohn on May 22, 2024, 07:15:03 AM
Very sad to hear. Have met him a number of times. Quite the character. Know cause of death? He seemed to be in very good shape for his age.
GliderJohn

Unfortunately, we just learned of it last night, though he passed on March 28.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Tkelly on May 22, 2024, 08:31:25 AM: Tough guy,rode his cx100 from California to CedarVale,then pitched his tent.He may have ridden straight thru.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: PJPR01 on May 22, 2024, 01:58:08 PM: An extraordinary guy…lots Of great stories, wonderful Sense of humor…we enjoyed several long extended breakfasts at the cafe in town and in the park. What a loss…we were just talking about him last weekend in CV…missed Mike at the gathering…

He was one of a kind…truly.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Tom H on May 22, 2024, 08:11:22 PM: Sad to hear :sad:

Tom
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: twowings on May 23, 2024, 10:11:46 AM: What an adventurer...what a rider! :bow:
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Guzzistajohn on May 23, 2024, 02:52:13 PM: Mike could dive deeper and come up dryer than any man I’ve met. Stayed at my house one night, all the adventures he had been on, he was totally entertained by attending the draft horse show at the Ozark Empire Fair that night. He was a hellava guy, and he’ll be missed. RIP Mr. C :bow:
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Michael D on May 23, 2024, 09:40:57 PM: (https://i.ibb.co/sWTCV7p/Cedar-Vale-KS-Ride-042.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sWTCV7p)

(https://i.ibb.co/TPYWs2P/Cedar-Vale-KS-Ride-043.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TPYWs2P)

Mike, (left of pictures) at the Cedar Vale Rally in 2013
Rest well, fellow rider.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: travelingbyguzzi on May 24, 2024, 03:23:55 AM: I sure hate to hear that. Met him a few times at Cedarvale. Nice fellow and impressive in every way.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on May 24, 2024, 06:19:23 AM: Quote from: Michael D on May 23, 2024, 09:40:57 PM

(https://i.ibb.co/sWTCV7p/Cedar-Vale-KS-Ride-042.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sWTCV7p)

(https://i.ibb.co/TPYWs2P/Cedar-Vale-KS-Ride-043.jpg) (https://ibb.co/TPYWs2P)

Mike, (left of pictures) at the Cedar Vale Rally in 2013
Rest well, fellow rider.

and consummate aviator. I'm going to steal that picture.. thanks! It looks as if he was falling into bad company there, though.. :smiley:
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Gliderjohn on May 24, 2024, 07:44:34 AM: Mike's CX.

(https://i.ibb.co/Ms5dn1w/Screen-Shot-2023-02-05-at-5-59-52-PM.png) (https://ibb.co/Ms5dn1w)
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Guzzistajohn on May 24, 2024, 08:39:52 AM: (https://i.ibb.co/RTxfXSm/Mike2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/RTxfXSm)

(https://i.ibb.co/R734v0J/Mike1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/R734v0J)
Yea, that guy would rub elbows with just about anyone! Even FubarGuzzi! (photos by Tim Pierce)
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: PJPR01 on May 24, 2024, 10:09:20 AM: Here are a few from my archives as well

(https://i.ibb.co/Bs7G6w1/IMG-5073.jpg) (https://ibb.co/Bs7G6w1)

(https://i.ibb.co/sbgZbbB/IMG-5067.jpg) (https://ibb.co/sbgZbbB)

(https://i.ibb.co/y6w6z4Y/IMG-5064.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y6w6z4Y)

(https://i.ibb.co/17TMhcv/IMG-5053.jpg) (https://ibb.co/17TMhcv)

(https://i.ibb.co/7JwnkyZ/IMG-5017.jpg) (https://ibb.co/7JwnkyZ)
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: Aaron D. on May 25, 2024, 10:24:26 AM: Sad news, I only communicated with him on this forum but he obviously has lived a fascinating life.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: LowRyter on May 25, 2024, 10:24:46 AM: Sorry to hear the news. He was a staple at Cedar Vale. He'd ride his LeMans (?) all the way from Cali, sometimes through snow. Pitch a tent at the rally. Very interesting guy, I think he lived in Cali, Ark, Paris and Morocco.

One of the most interesting men in the world. I'm sure he'll be missed by many people in many places.
Title: Re: Mike Carmack (kirby1923) has passed away
Post by: SmithSwede on May 30, 2024, 11:34:24 PM: I just now heard about Mike. What a loss to the Guzzi community. He was a fascinating person, and quite modest given his accomplishments.