[2] Born in Washington, Pennsylvania, Carmichael graduated from Shreve High School in Shreve, Ohio.
Carmichael served in the Ohio Army National Guard from 1959 to 1964.
He worked for the Dominion East Ohio Gas Company as a district manager.
From 1971 to 1979, Carmichael served as mayor of the village of Shreve.
Carmichael also served on the Wayne County Board of Elections and was chairman of the elections board.