Charles Frederick Markley Jr.

Our Dad was born in Allentown, Pennsylvania to Charles F. Markley, Sr. and Henrietta Ederer Markley. He was the oldest of seven children. He moved several times during his growing up, including a period of time where the family lived on a dairy farm.

Dad was a hard worker, going to school, playing football and other sports, and working part-time. He loved playing sports with his brothers. It was roughly during this period that we believe Dad broke all of the fingers on both hands - a fact that he delighted in reporting while holding up both hands as corroborating proof.

He attended Marquette University as an undergraduate before being appointed by President Richard Nixon to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in 1974. He was commissioned as an officer with the United States Army and served for more than 20 years in military intelligence.

Dad’s work was classified. Growing up, we could only surmise it had something to do with pointing out the historical accuracies and inaccuracies in such films as the Hunt for Red October. While we now know that our Dad monitored certain activities during the Cold War and met several presidents and other dignitaries along the way, we probably shouldn’t tell you anything more. If Dad were to be believed, we would then apparently have to shoot you.

In 1974, Dad married our mother, Maureen Sullivan, to whom he was devoted. They had four children and eight grandchildren. During those years, Dad watched a lot of cartoons on Saturday mornings, lent countless t-shirts for kids to use as pajamas, taught his kids to swim, and demonstrated the proper technique for a “can opener” to maximize both splashing and waves in the pool. He was also a masterful driver and accomplice for his teenaged children’s minivan “surfing,” a practice that, if not illegal then, would most assuredly be illegal today.

Dad took to heart the adage that a stranger is a friend you haven’t met. To his children’s chagrin, he chatted up strangers wherever he met them and this often-included bragging about whatever daughter, son, or grandchild happened to be present. Parents he didn’t know would somehow find themselves unwittingly handing their infant children over to our Dad to hold as he smiled and chatted with them. It’s a testament to his evident delight in children that he was never arrested.

Dad was a huge sports fan and was a devoted follower of the Philadelphia Phillies, Eagles, and Sixers and, in later years, the Alabama Crimson Tide. We would be remiss, however, not to mention his beloved Army football team (Go Army, Beat Navy!). He lived to attend games at the stadium and keep score any time the Phillies battled the Atlanta Braves. He was occasionally spotted in the stands on televised games and even once captured on the Jumbotron.

Sports were a driving passion for Dad and he loved watching his children and grandchildren excel in soccer, baseball, volleyball, swimming, etc. Sadly, in 77 years, he never witnessed a well-officiated game or match. He was … enthusiastic ... in providing his (generally unsolicited) guidance regarding missed calls and opportunities. To the officials and referees, players, coaches, spectators, thank you for your patience and good humor. The old man had an enthusiasm for sports that could not be contained, despite his family’s best efforts and entreaties.

He was survived by his wife, Maureen Markley, his children, Joanmarie (Joe) Dowling, Chuck (Elizabeth) Markley, Drew (Suzanne) Markley, and Janelle (Tim) Voorheis, and his grandchildren, Margaret “Meg” Dowling, Thomas Dowling, Parker Markley, Andrew “AJ” Markley, Charles “Chase” Markley, Connor Markley, Elliott Markley, and Grace Markley.

He is also survived by his siblings, Patricia Markley, Barbara Mistishen, Don Markley, and David (Theresa) Markley.

He was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Henrietta Markley, and his brothers Jon Dwight (“Duffy”) and Brian Markley.

A special thanks to the Coca-Cola company (Diet Coke), the Mars Company (Peanut M&Ms), and the writers, producers, cast, and supporting staff of the T.V. shows Blue Bloods and Murder She Wrote for the many days, months, and years of enjoyment you brought to Dad.

While we are not sure of the origination, we leave you with some of Dad’s favorite expressions:

He’s a gentleman and a scholar.

I resemble that remark.

(to the tune of “Strangers in the Night”): Stranger in the night… my father’s getting stranger in the night.

(When arriving at a location in a vehicle): “Un-Car or De-Car” or “Everyone out of the pool.”

Let me kiss it and make it infected.

Hi, Hungry, I’m your father.

They would license a cracker jack box.

Able to leap tall buildings with a running start!

[To a car speeding past] Go get my ticket!

[INSERT NAME], the magnificent

You can get anything you want at Alice’s restaurant.

I remember [INSERT MALE NAME]. He used to play linebacker for [INSERT FOOTBALL TEAM].

This is your beloved father. (Yeah, Dad. You were and always will be.)

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Army Emergency Relief, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 13161, Arlington, VA 22202, or online at armyemergencyrelief.org/donate.