“This is the Best Day Ever”: New mural honors memory of Jeremy Carmical at HarborWalk Village

A vibrant mural honoring the memory of Jeremy Carmical now adorns a wall specially constructed for the tribute at HarborWalk Village in Destin.

• The artwork, created by Off The Wall Murals artists Caroline Holland and Tianna Kuwica, depicts elements representing Carmical’s passions and interests — from fishing and surfing to his love for Christ, America and being outdoors.

An anonymous donor commissioned the mural, which features the phrase “This is the Best Day Ever,” words Carmical said daily, according to his mother Michelle Carmical.

“This is our favorite way to use our skills, to create something that’s meaningful and pays a tribute to him,” Holland said during a recent interview at the site. “Or just sparks conversation about who he was.”

Holland and Kuwica collaborated with Carmical’s family to ensure the mural accurately reflected his life and interests. The family opted for a representational design rather than a portrait, providing photos and details about Carmical’s favorite activities to guide the artists.

• “We contacted the family and talked about styles first, what kind of painting style they like, things like that,” Kuwica said. “They told us everything that he liked to do, all the things they wanted included.”

HarborWalk Village erected a new wall at Margaritaville specifically for the mural, which spans just over 200 square feet. The location carries special significance as HarborWalk Marina served as the meeting site for the search party that looked for Carmical after he went missing.

“This mural is more than just a piece of art—it’s a tribute to someone who left a lasting imprint on everyone he met,” said Ragan Bonner, Director of Marketing & Consumer Experience at HarborWalk Village. “HarborWalk was honored to host a prayer vigil during the search, and now this mural, beautifully created by Off the Walls, feels like the perfect way to carry on his spirit!”

Bonner recalled first meeting Carmical at a farmers market. “Right away, his warmth and passion for people stood out. Through his work with Phoenix Roasters & his interest in community events, we were lucky enough to welcome him to HarborWalk Village for a few of our events, and he was always so kind, so genuine.”

• “After his passing, it became clear just how deeply rooted his connections were here—from the marina to our local businesses—and how many lives he touched,” Bonner said. “It captures the heart of who he was—someone who brought light & kindness wherever he went.”

Carmical, 32, passed away on September 24, 2024, while diving off the coast of Destin. Born in Fort Walton Beach, he was a lifelong resident of the Florida Panhandle and a combat veteran who served as a flight paramedic with the United States Air Force Special Operations Command.

After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Carmical continued his passion for mission work as the Emerald Coast Area Representative for International Ministries with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

An avid and passionate outdoorsman, Carmical was never far from a body of water and could frequently be found spearfishing, diving, fishing, free-diving, paddle boarding and, of course, his longest passion, surfing. 

• Even when his military service took him to landlocked New Mexico, he immediately found his fix for adventure in hiking, rock climbing, and dirt-biking. When he wasn’t outdoors, he could be found enjoying a fresh hot cup of coffee, while reading a book or journaling about his day.  

All of these elements are captured in the mural.

The artists worked for about five days to complete the mural, which was designed to resonate both with those who knew Carmical and visitors to the area.

• “We want everyone to be able to connect with it,” Kuwica said, explaining that elements honoring Carmical are subtly incorporated into the design. HarborWalk is considering adding a plaque with information about Carmical near the mural.

For Holland, projects like this affirm the purpose behind their work. “This is exactly why we do what we do,” she said. “Projects like this solidifies that we’re doing what we’re meant to do.”