slideshow

Houston (JR) Markham a resident of Calera, Oklahoma passed from this life on Thursday, January 10, 2013 at the age of 91 years 9 months and 23 days. He was born in Durant, Oklahoma on Friday, March 18, 1921 to Houston and Effie (Johnson) Markham. Houston married Hazel F. Simpson in Durant, Oklahoma on Saturday, December 29, 1945.

His Dad, Houston G. Markham, was injured in World War I and unable to work. So JR had to quit school to provide for his family. JR joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (WPA) in Wyoming in 1939 with his brother, George. During World War II, JR took a transport ship across the Atlantic to Africa. There were 40 ships in the fleet and he saw two of the ships collide. JR served in North Africa and Italy in the Army Air Corps as a mechanic and saw a lot of destruction in Europe. They arrived in Milano, Italy just after they had cut down Mussolini’s body from where he hung on his balcony. JR was sent to basic training for the frontline combat six weeks before the war ended. He was transferred to ground troops a day before VE so he never experienced the frontlines. The Lord was with him even then. After the war, he came home and married Hazel Simpson and farmed for several years. His farm was where the Choctaw entertainment complex is now. His favorite crop was peanuts. After several years of bad weather, he became a cabinet maker. In 1960, he took a mail order Television and Radio Repair course and repaired televisions in the evening and worked as a cabinet maker during the day. He was an honest man who believed your word was your bond. If he shook your hand you could take it to the bank. He was a dedicated father and wonderful grandfather. He was always there for his children. He will be dearly missed by all.

Houston is survived by hi; sons, William Markham and wife Diana of Colbert, Oklahoma and Michael and Jennifer Markham of Calera, Oklahoma; daughter, Sondra Jackman and husband Chuck of Watauga, Texas; brother, Bill Markham and wife Marie of Ft. Worth, Texas; grandchildren, Tommy Jackman and wife Kathy of Garland, Texas, Jamie Jackman and wife Becky of Kingston, Oklahoma, Chris Markham and wife Gena of Durant, Oklahoma, Melissa Markham of Colbert, Oklahoma, Nicole Markham-Rackley and husband Tyler of Durant, Oklahoma, Kimberly Markham of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Montana Markham of Durant, Oklahoma; sister-in-law, Annie Johnson of Calera, Oklahoma; 12 great grandchildren.

Mr. Markham was preceded in death by his parents, Houston and Effie Markham; wife, Hazel Markham who passed away February 20, 2002; brothers, Charles and George Markham; sister, Lydia Whitmire.

Family Hour will be from 3-4:00 PM on Sunday, January 13, 2013 at the Holmes~Coffey~Murray Funeral Home in Durant, Oklahoma. A Funeral Service in his honor will be at 10:00 AM Monday, January 14, 2013 at the First Baptist Church in Calera, Oklahoma with Rev. Jacob Toews officiating. Interment will follow at Rosehill Cemetery in Calera. Serving as pallbearers will be Tommy Jackman,Jamie Jackman, Chris Markham, Aaron Markham,Nicole Rackley and Tyler Rackley.

Family and friends may send online condolences and view tributes at www.holmescoffeymurray.com.

Services are under the direction of Holmes-Coffey-Murray Funeral Home, Durant, Oklahoma.