Municipal employee, accounting professor, devoted volunteer

Clarence Matthew Markham, III, age 81, resident of Newport, Oregon, died August 28, 2018.

Clarence was born April 26, 1937 to Clarence Markham and Olga Hughes in Toledo, Ohio. He graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1960 with a bachelor of science in accounting. In 1971, he earned a master’s in urban studies from Occidental College followed by postgraduates work as a National Urban Fellow at Yale University.

Mr. Markham worked for the city of West Covina for 25 years as human resources director, housing and community development director, city council administrator and assistant manager until his retirement in 1997. And, for nearly 30 years, he taught accounting at Citrus College.

Early in his career, Mr. Markham was executive director of Job Resources in Monrovia, a special assistant to the city manager of Compton and assistant director for admissions at the Claremont Colleges.

Throughout his life, Mr. Markham served his community, both religious and at large. He was active at Our Lady of Assumption in Claremont, Sacred Heart in Newport, Oregon and Christian Life Community. He served the AARP tax program, Newport Property Tax Board, Siletz Food Kitchen, Newport Food Bank, Baptist Food Program, Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis and the YMCA. 

He married Katherine Kirwan on November 26, 1960 in Los Angeles. Their marriage was blessed with three children. “Clarence was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and a great friend,” his family shared.

Clarence was a dedicated and loving family man, known for his love of sports, music and nature, travel and volunteerism. He had a passion for good food, playing dominoes and poker as well as skiing, fishing, golf and the outdoors. He was also an avid reader.

“A man of all seasons, he brought laughter and wisdom wherever he went. He was a teacher and mentor. He influenced many lives, guiding people of all ages to further themselves,” his family shared. “We will miss this adventurous, courageous, humorous, hard-working, loving man. 

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Leslie. He is survived by his wife, Katherine; daughter, Juliet; sons, Christopher and Allan; brother, M. Charles Markham; sister, Olga Pierre; 14 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

A memorial was held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Monday, September 10  in Waldort, Oregon.