Michael Thomas Carrick

(10/16/1954 – 9/7/2026)

Message from the Carrick Family

Our family has lost one of its most compassionate and caring members with the passing of Michael Carrick.

We will miss the lively spirit of his political exchanges, the humor with which he met life’s challenges, and the compassionate way he lived every day.

Michael had health challenges living with severe asthma his entire life. As a young teenager, he required 3-year stay at a specialist hospital in Denver where he received life-saving treatment.

Michael persisted in living a full life despite his health challenges and in some cases in defiance of those limitations.

For a decade before he came to Indiana, while working in Nebraska’s social service community, he championed the right of adults with mental challenges to work and live independently “in community”. His real-time advocacy for his clients had no bounds.

While living in Omaha, he diligently cared for his aging parents and was a mainstay of his mother’s life after she was widowed.

Michael continued championing workers’ rights as a staunch union member and steward in the meat processing industry upon his move to Indiana.

His family life in Indiana centered around his beloved daughter, Samantha, and Elizarae, his granddaughter. Together, they built a strong bond of love and caring.

The Carrick siblings, William Carrick and Linda (Carrick) Clark, are spread out over North America but we came together to give love and assistance to Samantha when she took over the role of main caregiver for Michael. We are thankful for Samantha’s abiding care and strong advocacy for the best care for her Dad during his health journey. Like Father, like daughter.

A special cousin, Dan Busch, who was like another brother in our family, joins Bill and I in our grief at our brother’s passing.

Linda Carrick Clark, William Carrick, and Dan Busch

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Photograph: Michael with his daughter Samantha