David Markham

David Markham

Cedar Rapids

David Eugene Markham passed away on December 1, 2023, of a broken heart following the loss of his cherished wife and soulmate, Beth. Born April 14, 1962, at St. Luke’s hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA to Doris and Cal Markham. His father Cal would later leave the young family; David would navigate his younger years in a family headed by his mother. David’s mother Doris would meet and marry World War two veteran and custom butcher, Bud Rohn whom he would come to love as a father. Born into a large family with five brothers and sisters, he is survived by sisters Kathy, Deb, Marge, brothers Ed, Joe, son Michael, and daughter Amanda, mother-in-law Judy Wink. He is preceded in death by his wife Beth, mother Doris Rohn, and father Bud Rohn. He also loved many pets throughout his life, and had to say goodbye to beloved cats Gus, Smokey, and dog Bella throughout his years of life. He met his beloved wife Beth in 1980, and within months they were married. He left for basic training in 1980, and did not graduate, instead returning home to Beth; to whom he could not bear to be parted. He did not graduate high school but would go back and earn his GED and associate’s in diesel mechanics from Kirkwood community college. He worked for a time as a diesel mechanic before he gravitated to continue working with his hands and his heart as a bus driver and custodian until his retirement in 2018. David approached life with an innate curiosity, even in his last year of life taking a bass guitar lesson that ended with him picking up a guitar and playing before the lesson could begin. David held in his heart a sincere appreciation for the aesthetic value of all things, and he carried this into his enjoyment of photography. His favorite subjects were barns and Midwestern landscapes. David found his happiest childhood memories within music, he enjoyed listening to his favorite bands like The Beatles, The Animals, and Jim Croce from within the happy confines of his childhood fort ‘the House of the Rising Sun.’ It was also in part through music that David connected with his wife of over forty years; together they formed an enduring love within music.

David was a selflessly devout advocate for the underdog, giving aid to those who knew him as a friend, and even a stranger in need. He 'failed' at many things in life, but for one, his love for his wife and children. Every 'failure' taught David more about himself, and he applied these lessons to find the things that truly gave his life meaning and purpose. Each decision that closed one door before him opened another and helped him to create the close-knit family he felt he often lacked as a child.

David taught his family to love often, never failing to tell loved ones how he felt before leaving home. He taught his children to navigate life without fear of failure, and to learn what matters most to you and gravitate fiercely to it.

In his heart, David felt himself to be an artist. In lieu of flowers please donate to the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy. They do incredible work within the community by providing a safe space for children (and adults) to create and enjoy art. https://www.easterniowaartsacademy.org/about

Private burial will be at Jordan's Grove Cemetery in Central City.