David Frank Markham

David Frank Markham A REBEL and Progressive Liberal who loved his country. Born July 12, 1954, at the Blackwell Sanitarium and Clinic in Gorman, Texas to parents Roy and Dixie Markham. Oldest of 11 children, David started his life in a dysfunctional family and was soon on his own at the age of 15. With a 9th grade education, he was quickly drawn into a life of social rule breaking, landing him into trouble. David was recruited from jail at the age of 17 into the US Navy. He then served on the USS Ranger in the Vietnam War ’72-’73. David quickly regained his rebellious societal lifestyle and met and married Maria Ramirez during that time. He embraced his married life, and they moved to Corpus Christi, TX to complete his military requirements for discharge. They welcomed and then buried their firstborn son Christopher Markham in ’76. Eventually welcoming and raising children: April ’78, Galen ’80, Jesse ’82, and David Matthew ’84. David was a wanderer at heart and did not settle into one location for long. Living in different states as he chased roughneck jobs yet always returned to Texas. Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, and Louisiana are where his adventures lead him. However, the Rocky Mountains held his heart and soul, and New Mexico was where he longed to be. David was an elder sibling and cared much for his younger siblings, he spent much of his life caring for them and their mother. They accompanied following him around the country during his life. David is preceded in death by his parents Roy Markham and Dixie Kendrick Markham, brothers Wesley and Thomas, and sisters Lenora and Dianne. David survives by his 4 children, his siblings Brenda, Debbie, Terri, Diane Taylor and Timothy, his 8 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. David reflected upon his life and stated that his time during the USN opened his eyes and heart to the entire world and changed how he viewed life as a white man. He was a proclaimed Atheist all his life and embraced those who followed other religions. Self-taught as a mechanic and engineer, he’ll always be remembered for his ingenuity and ability to make something out of a pile of junk. During his last days David spent his time loving his little dog Jazzy and missing his partner Pam who died 6 months prior. David spent his last weeks living with his daughter April Markham-Sanchez, husband Frank Sanchez and his grandchildren Savion Markham-Simmons, Aria Sanchez, and Roux Sanchez. We Love you and miss you very much Papa Dave.

David Frank Markham

July 12, 1954 - March 2, 2026