F. Dale Markham

Fred Dale Markham died late Wednesday, August 1, 2018, surrounded by loving family, following a brief bout with pneumonia at his daughter's home in Mesa, Arizona.  He was 89 years old.  He was known throughout his life as Dale except to his family who called him Papa Great. He was born September 7, 1928, in Miami, Arizona to the late Fred Daley and Elizabeth Viva "Honey" (Taylor) Markham. Dale was proud of his pioneer and pilgrim heritage. He was a descendant of 12 of the 102 immigrants who sailed to the American continent on the Mayflower in 1620. Right after his graduation from Miami High School, Dale enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in post-war WWII Japan. Following his honorable discharge, he attended ASU and majored in business. Dale was an avid Sun Devil sports fan. On October 9, 1953, Dale and Martha Jane Ward were married for time and all eternity in the Mesa Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  In two short months they would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. Dale started his career in Yuma where he worked at Firestone Tires. A few years later he moved his family back to the Phoenix valley where he worked as a loan officer with Western American Mortgage Company where he was later promoted to president.  After many years, he and fellow business friends started up their own financial company, Markham Sellers & Mony. Dale's greatest loves have always been God, family, and country.  He often gathered his extended family together for reunions, prayers, and flag ceremonies. His children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren have always received personalized notes, cards, and phone calls that acknowledged their accomplishments and everyday events. He had a talent for making each person feel special. He was a wonderful example of love and spent his life in the service of others. He possessed a quick wit and an incredible sense of humor. Wherever he was, he left his mark by putting a smile on the faces of those around him. Dale was active in the Boy Scouts of America where he was awarded the Silver Beaver. Additional service activities included the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs of Tempe. He and Martha also opened up their home for children in the Indian Placement Programs of the LDS church and also hosted boys and girls in the foreign exchange programs. For many years Dale served as Stake President of the Tempe South Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  In recent years, while living in the White Mountains, he served in the Lakeside / Show Low wards in various capacities. He and Martha served 2 missions for the church to Martin's Cove Historic Site in Wyoming. F. Dale Markham is survived by his wife, Martha Markham; 7 children (which he teasingly referred to as All Boys except 6): Michelle "Mikki" Kienitz Lantz (Tom), Cynthia "Cindy" Kellis (Kevin), Nanette "Nan" Hollingsworth (Scott), Kelly Solomon, Michael "Mike" Markham (Michele), Darla Kortsen (Kevin), Marla Markham; 28 grandchildren; 46 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Phyllis Cecil (Bennie Joe deceased), his brother, Darryl Markham (LaVonne).  Along with his parents, Dale was preceded in death by his sister, Donna Beth Nicoll (Worth), and by two brothers: Don LeRoy Markham and Frankie Markham. The public viewing will be held at 7:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M., Friday, August 10, 2018, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 920 S. Lindsay Road in Mesa, Arizona.  The funeral service will begin 10:00 A.M., Saturday, August 11, 2018, at the same location where additional visitation will begin one hour prior.  The concluding service with Military Honors, and interment will be later that evening, beginning at 5:00 P.M. at the Show Low Cemetery in Show Low, Arizona. Dale loved the blessing of supporting his son, many grandchildren, and others as they served full-time church missions.  In order to honor that tradition, his family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the LDS missionary fund. Contributions may be sent via the website: give.lds.org in memory of F. Dale Markham. Dale's family is grateful for the many expressions of love and sympathy they have received.  They are especially grateful for all of the prayers offered on their behalf.  They find comfort knowing that "Families are Forever."