Ralph Waldon Markham

Friday, January 15. 2010 MARKHAM - Ralph Waldon Markham, passed away peacefully at his home, Tuesday, January 12, 2010. He was born on October 29, 1915 at Twitty, TX in Wheeler County to Charles Buford Markham and Eula Malinda Seawright Markham. He was raised by his mother Eula Markham and step-father Clumbus Lee Markham. Ralph graduated from high school in Allison, TX. He married Juanita May Johnson on July 21, 1937 in Wheeler, TX. Ralph was a School Teacher and Administrator and a Dairy Farmer and Rancher. He earned his Bachelors and Master Degrees from West Texas State College. His first job after receiving his Bachelors Degree was as Elementary School Principal in Shamrock, TX. Ralph worked in the Pantex munitions plant during World War II then went on to teach Agriculture and coach at Grenville, NM and then Melrose, NM. In 1946 Ralph returned to Allison, Texas as superintendent of schools. Following that he went to Dalhart, TX as coordinator of Veterans' Vocational Schools in Dallam, Hartley, Moore, and Sherman Counties. In 1951 he began Dairy Farming near Texline, TX and continued farming while serving as principal of schools at Perico, TX then teaching and coaching in the Texline schools. In 1955, Ralph returned to New Mexico where he served as principal of schools in Sedan, Churchrock, and Crownpoint. Upon his retirement in 1976, he moved to Tahlequah, Oklahoma where he ranched for ten years before moving back to Allison, TX, then to Bernalillo, NM. Ralph was a lifelong Methodist and a member of the Masonic Lodge. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Gene Markham and daughter-in-law, Paula Thompson Markham; one granddaughter, Denise Lee Markham; one sister, Avis Markham Parker; and four brothers, Cloyd, Bob, Glen and Cecil Markham. Ralph is survived by his wife of 72 years, Juanita May; two sons, Jack Markham and wife Evelyn of Albuquerque, John Markham and wife Joan of Roswell; five grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. Ralph enjoyed his family, his ex-students, and his friends. He was loyal to all of them. He told many stories about all of them and about all of the places he had lived and loved. He also loved to build things with this own hands. Among these building projects were remodeling a basketball gym complete with new bleachers and Sedan, NM, building a two story garage at Crownpoint, NM and building a hay barn and a well house at Tahlequah, OK. Finally, at the age of 82 in Bernalillo, he built a two bedroom, one bathroom bunk house with the aid of Doris and Cecil Markham. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Saturday, January 16, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 136 W. Calle Don Andres, Bernalillo, NM, with Pastor Ed Hoffman officating. An Inurnment will take place in Wheeler, TX at a later date. Ralph's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Alameda Mortuary 9420 Fourth Street NW Albuquerque, NM 87114 (505) 898-3160