Robert Francis Markham

He is survived by his wife Nancy; his children Madoline Koonce (Jeff) and Patrick Markham (Elizabeth); his grandchildren Mardie Koonce, Penny Koonce, Anna Worley Markham, and Adrian Markham; his mother Vivian Markham; his brothers Bill Markham Jr., Terry Markham (Elizabeth), Tim Markham (Resa), and Chris Markham (Wendy); and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Bill Markham Sr., his nephew William Markham, and his sister-in-law Brenda Markham.

The son of Bill and Vivian Markham, Rob was born May 13, 1956, in Greensboro, North Carolina, and raised in Atlanta. He was a proud 1975 graduate of St. Pius X Catholic High School where he earned the nickname “Bullmoose” on the football team and formed lifelong friendships. He attended Wofford College and the University of Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Mercer University.

One of Rob’s most notable traits was his loyalty, and it was his loyal friendship with childhood friend Adrian Brown that first attracted Adrian’s sister Nancy to him. He and Nancy married in February 1984, a date planned around a snow skiing season honeymoon, and he and Nancy enjoyed adventures through life for 41 years.

Rob worked his entire career as a CPA for Southern Company Services, which transferred him and his family from Atlanta to Birmingham in 1992. During his years on the trading floor at the company, he became friends with a group of men known as the “Whiney Boys.” Ever one to bring people together, Rob co-hosted annual gatherings on Smith Lake for Southern Company coworkers and their families.

Rob was always showing his love for others through his actions. As a member of St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, he organized members of St. Mark and other Catholic churches in Birmingham to do construction projects for people in need in Greene County, Alabama, each summer, and he worked closely with the joy-filled nuns who serve in that area.

Rob loved a good party and making sure everyone had a good time, whether it was at the annual Markham gathering for the Fourth of July, a family reunion, a wedding, or really any setting.

Rob and Nancy enjoyed spending time at their “cabin” on Smith Lake, nicknamed “Robland” by a friend. There they hosted friends and family for weekends filled with good food and quality time, and Rob especially liked teaching people to water ski and slalom skiing himself. For around 30 years, Rob regularly attended Rock Creek Mission, better known as “boat church,” on Smith Lake, and organized and led their board of directors. Each summer for the past 14 years he and Nancy co-hosted with friends In His Wakes, a ministry that uses water sports to share Christ’s love with at-risk children and adults.

Rarely known to sit down for long, Rob had a strong sense of adventure and was seemingly always active. He loved snow skiing on fresh powder in Utah, Colorado, Montana, and Wyoming (and on two trips helicopter skiing in British Columbia); hiking in national parks and in the mountains of North Carolina; fly fishing in the mountains; and bike riding in Callaway Gardens in Georgia. He played in tennis leagues in Atlanta and Birmingham, and most recently he spent time driving his track car at Barber Motorsports Park.

An avid fan of the University of Georgia football, Rob spent most weekends in the fall attending games and RV tailgating in its highest form with friends at Bulldog Park.

Above all, Rob was generous, always putting others before himself and often serving in ways that no one else knew about. He cared for his family well and loved being a husband, father, and grandfather.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 18 at 2 p.m. at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church. The family will receive friends starting at 1 p.m., and a graveside service will be held following the funeral mass at Southern Heritage Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to In His Wakes (inhiswakes.com) or to St. Mark’s mission work in Greene County (checks can be made out to St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church and marked “Greene Co. Rob Markham” and sent to the church at 7340 Cahaba Valley Rd., Birmingham, AL 35242).