Clarence Richard "Dick" Markham

Dick Markham, 95, of Lubbock, Texas passed away August 20, 2024. Dick was born November 8, 1928 in Brownfield, TX to John and Ethel Markham. The family soon moved to Tatum, New Mexico where Dick's brother Don was born. The family moved to Lubbock when he was 12. Around the age of 16, Dick met the love of his life, a beautiful young lady named Joyce Stanley. They dated all through high school and married in 1949. They celebrated 75 years of marriage on March 20 of this year. Dick and Joyce were the proud parents of three children - daughters Jan and Karen, and son John, and were overjoyed to eventually welcome sons-in-law, a daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren! Although Dick held several different jobs in the early years of their marriage, including being a cable splicer and lineman for Southwestern Bell Telephone company, he eventually settled into his career as a self-employed custom cabinet builder, furniture builder and residential remodeler. Dick was equally skilled in mechanics and could fix pretty much anything, usually making it better than it was to begin with. He was a problem solver and met every challenge with creativity, determination and plain old stubbornness. He was extremely organized and thrifty. An oft heard phrase was, "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!" In 1962 Dick and Joyce bought their current house, and he spent 10 years changing up the floor plan and remodeling it while the family lived in it. He often worked until the wee hours, so the kids were used to going to bed to the sound of saws and hammering. He made the changes as they could afford it, never borrowing any money to accomplish this monumental task. If you had seen the house before he started, you wouldn't recognize it. Dick was one of the 5 founding members of the South Plains Woodturners and enjoyed many friendships and fellow artisans through the club. His demos were always a highlight for the members. Another founding member, Mike Oglesby said, "In our first 8 years of existence, Dick missed only one meeting. He always brought something interesting for our 'show and tell' time from his treasure trove of turnings, and he assisted many members in machinery maintenance issues." When health issues prevented him from attending meetings, several of the woodturners would come by the house to visit, pick his brain and show him their latest creations. He was always generous with praise and advice. Dick loved photography, art, tractors, trains, antiques, cowboy movies and peanut butter! One of his lifelong joys was music, and his taste was quite varied. His favorite was Country and Western music, and even in the last hours of his life, it could be heard blasting from his hospital room. The doctors and nurses seemed to enjoy it! He never met a stranger, was as honest as the day is long, was a skilled "horse trader" and drove a hard bargain. He had a great sense of humor and collected many jokes and cartoons through the years. He and Joyce made friends wherever they went and became substitute parents to many folks who had lost theirs. Dick and Joyce were faithful members of Monterey Baptist Church in Lubbock. They visited all the lower 48 states in their RV and enjoyed many motorcycle trips with friends, often carrying along a tent! They loved Bluegrass music and attended numerous festivals through the years. Loved ones include daughter Jan Trim and husband Kent of Lubbock; daughter Karen Faulkner and Neil of Lamesa, daughter-in-law Lynn Markham of Lubbock, grandchildren Phillip Trim and wife Cindi of Lubbock, Julie Petmecky of Lubbock, Todd Faulkner and wife Jana of Slaton, Lillian Borella and husband Wesley of Lamesa, great grandchildren Clint Faulkner and wife Katy of Lubbock, Taylor Owens and husband Casey of Lubbock, Madison Lynch Borella of Lamesa, Weston Trim of Lubbock, Haley Hitch and husband Quentin of Lubbock, and five great great grandchildren, Owen and Austin Faulkner, Bodyn and Hudsyn Owens and Noah Hitch, and many nieces and nephews. Dick was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, parents John and Ethel Markham, brother Don Markham and son John Markham. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 24, 2024, in Sanders Memorial Chapel with Rev. Bruce McBee officiating.

Clarence Richard "Dick" Markham

November 8, 1928 - August 20, 2024