Murl Ray Markham
Feb 4, 1931 - Jun 28, 2008
Rewritten & posted by: Jo Aguirre

A celebration of the life of Murl Markham was held Wednesday, July 2, 2008, at 2:00pm at First Baptist Church of Newcastle.

Interment with military honors followed at Sunset Memorial Park in Oklahoma City.

Murl Ray Markham was born on February 4, 1931, in Rush Springs, OK to Ray and Florence Markham and passed away on June 28, 2008 after a courageous battle with cancer at the age of 77. He was a  loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. 
After graduating from Rush Springs High School in 1949, he attended college at OSU. In early 1951, he joined the U.S. Air Force. On July 14, 1951, he married his high school sweetheart, Evelyn Bates. To this union was born three children, Daniel Ray, Patricia Ann, and David Eugene. 

Murl served our country for 20 years and retired from the USAF as Senior Master Sergeant in 1971. In late 1971, he began his career with the U.S. Postal Service in Oklahoma City and retired in 1993. His favorite hobbies included fishing, playing guitar and singing, and model airplane building and flying. After retiring from the postal service and moving to Newcastle, Murl enjoyed playing music and singing at the Senior Citizens Center and participating in the Senior Adult Choir at the Newcastle First Baptist Church.     
   
Preceding him in death were his parents, Ray and Florence Markham ; two sisters, Mary Lou Markham and Ruby Heavin; son, Daniel Ray Markham ; and daughter, Patricia Ann Shaw. 

Survivors include his wife of nearly 57 years, Evelyn; son, David Eugene;  two brothers, Harley and Perry and his wife Carol; sister-in-law, Shirley Bentley; brother-in-law, Harold Bates; four grand daughters; eight great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many friends.