Allan Ray Markham

At the young age of 23, Allan wrote a personality sketch for his beloved Ninth Ward newspaper. We felt there could be no better way to begin telling the story of his life than through his own words and reflections. The following is Allan’s original personality sketch, written so many years ago, capturing the young man he was and offering a glimpse into the man he would become.

PERSONALITY SKETCH 

Written by Allan Ray Markham at age 23

Tremonton, Utah, June 16, 1940, was the birthplace of Allan Ray Markham. He was the first of three sons born to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Keith Markham. His pre-school and elementary school years were spent in various areas of northern California, where his father worked as a construction foreman. 

Due to his mother's health, the family moved from the damp climate of northern California to the dry, windy area of Mountain Home, Idaho. Here he finished elementary and attended high school. While attending high school he was active in school affairs and held such offices as senior class president, sophomore class president, and student band conductor. Sports were an active element of his high school life, where he played basketball, baseball, and was the only four-year football letterman in his graduating class.

Upon graduating from high school Allan was employed briefly with the Army Corps of Engineers and then permanently with the United States Post Office.

The year 1959 probably brought about the beginning of the most permanent, influential change of his early life. This change was in the form of a very cute, vivacious, dark haired,young woman named Cherie Barbara Duerden. Through her love and influence he begin to take an active interest in the teachings of the church.

Cherie left home in September of 1959 to attend Brigham Young University, and for some mysterious reason Allan terminated his job and enrolled for the winter quarter of the same year.

One year later, on September 10, 1960, they were the first couple to be married in their new ward chapel. Their life together is a happy one, and they have many interests in common,which they enjoy together.

Moving into the 9th Ward proved to be another great influence on this young man's life.Through the fine examples and friendship that were shown to him, his desire to make the gospel an essential part of his life was strengthened. The most treasured moment of his life came on his third wedding anniversary when he and his wife were sealed together for time and eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

While residing in the 9th Ward he has served in such positions as: Young Marrieds Leader,MIA Activity Counselor, and is currently serving as Superintendent of the MIA. His persona l philosophy on serving in the church is that, "The self importance that some individuals place on their personal contributions to the church is actually very insignificant, compared to the individual and spiritual growth which one receives by serving.

"His years spent in the 9th Ward will truly be remembered as a time when an undecided young man, through friendship, interest, and example of those around him, was inspired to progress and seek out the spiritual offerings of this existence.

Scouting was an important part of Allan’s life and gave him some of his greatest adventures. Alongside his two good friends, Ray Harper and Lincoln Ragle, he planned countless outings. Their biggest adventure was climbing Mt. Whitney—and, as the family likes to say, if some of their mothers had seen where their sons had been, they probably would have had heart failure.

Allan was a devoted football fan until his six-year-old son decided he wanted to play soccer. From that moment on, Allan became one of the sport’s biggest supporters. He served on the board of the Upland Astros traveling team and was the driving force behind establishing an AYSO chapter in Yucaipa, California.What began with just five teams grew into many more under his leadership. Allan served as president for three years before proudly turning it over to very capable hands.

Allan loved to work—and he always liked to look good doing it. He could easily spend an hour or more grooming himself before heading out the door. After graduating from Brigham Young University, Allan chose sunny California and began his career with Kaiser Steel. He later went on to work for Hughes Aerospace, where he helped establish a master’s degree program through Marymount University that allowed employees to earn their degrees without leaving the company. His work also gave him the opportunity to be involved with what the family affectionately called the “secret stuff”—submarines, heat seeking missiles, and other projects he couldn’t always tell us much about.

But of all the accomplishments and adventures in Allan’s life, nothing mattered more to him than his family.He was the proud father of three amazing children: William, Brandace and Benjamin. Whether it was a three-hour conversation convincing one of them to stay in college, a snowy-day ski trip, or time spent on the soccer field, Allan loved being part of his children’s lives. He loved watching them, listening to them,guiding them, and—perhaps most of all—simply being with them.

His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought another kind of joy into Allan’s life and quickly became his pride and joy. So many little moments capture the kind of Papa he was: trips to the grocery store with Haidyn for donuts and ice cream; fishing trips with Annie and AJ, complete with plenty of eyeball squishing of the fish; many memorable hours on the golf course; and the ordinary moments that became extraordinary simply because they were spent together.

Perhaps no place held more family memories than Allan’s favorite place, McCall, Idaho. So much time was shared there—boating on the lake, playing card games, cooking, laughing, and simply enjoying one another. Trips to Ice Cream Alley were always a favorite, and breakfast at the Pancake House was a tradition that was never missed. McCall was more than a favorite destination; it was a place where relationships were nurtured and where Papa had the time to truly know the people he loved most. Through all those years and memories, he built relationships that were deep, meaningful, and lasting.

The beach also held a special place in Allan’s heart. A trip to Newport Beach was never complete without a meal at The Crab Cooker and a ride on the Ferris wheel in Balboa, where, as he rounded the top, Papa could always be heard calling out, “We love the beach!” These simple traditions became treasured family memories.

Those are the moments that tell Allan’s story best—not simply where he worked, the positions he held, or the things he accomplished, but the people he loved and the memories he created with them. His life was filled with family, friendship, hard work, adventure, service, and laughter. He was deeply loved and will be deeply missed. His greatest legacy is simply the man he was—our Papa, who loved us well and left each of us better for having been loved by him.

Allan is survived by his beloved wife, Cherie Barbara Duerdon Markham; his son, William Chad Markham(Joy Eckert Markham), and their children, Weslie Cherie (Bronson), Rory Christian, and Haidyn Cherie; his daughter, Brandace Lee Markham Broberg, and her children, Andre Michael (Kait), Cheyanne Mia (Steven),Irelin Grace (Logan), and LaVan Rex; and the children of his beloved late son, Benjiman Allan Markham: Ian Anthony and Reece Kathryn. He is also survived by his great-grandchildren, Zuri Estella, Remi Estella, OzzyKay, Silas Alexander, Steven Ray, Finlee Harry, Amelia Cherie, and Coraline Aurora Love; and his brother,Jimmie Keith Markham.Allan was preceded in death by his parents, Edward Keith and Helen Jewell George Markham, and his brother, Edward Leroy Markham.