Kent Carmichael

Kent Carmichael, 77, of Manhattan, passed away peacefully at home on January 27, 2026.

He was born on December 17, 1948, in Hays, Kansas, to Elmo and Verna Jane (Thompson) Carmichael. He grew up on the Saline River and graduated from Plainville High School in 1966.

He went on to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Emporia State University in 1970. He married Sandra Anderson of Liberal on December 28, 1968. After college, the couple moved to Liberal, where Kent began work for his fatherin- law in the hardware store business. In 1973, they had the opportunity to move to Ulysses and open Ulysses Standard Supply/Big R, and Ace Hardware. This started the beginning of a 50-year career serving Ulysses and the surrounding communities. He later added stores in Larned, Scott City, and Marion.

He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce (President, 1976), the Rotary Club, and Mid-States Distributing Company. He also served for many years on the Western Prairie Nursing Home Board of Directors, the Zoning Commission, and the Ulysses High School FFA board, and was a volunteer youth basketball coach.

Kent was preceded in death by his father and mother, Elmo and Verna Jane Carmichael, and his stepmother, Lee Carmichael.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, of the home; brother, Craig Carmichael (JaneAnn), Independence, Mo.; two daughters, Shelley Carmichael (Carl Smith), Aurora, Neb., and Tricia Gill (Jeff), St. George; and 7 grandchildren.

Services will be held at Crestview Christian Church, 3940 Excel Rd, Manhattan, KS, on Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions can be made to Meadowlark Parkinson’s Program. Make checks payable to Meadowlark Foundation Parkinson’s Program.