Rev. Markley was the oldest son of Elmer J. Markley and Margaret Tucker Markley, born in Washington DC, August 15, 1935.   He was preceded in death by his parents, and survived by his wife of 59 years, Margaret Markley of Lake Wales; Brothers Bruce Markley (Peggy) of Biloxi MS, and Ken Markley (Mary) of Montgomery, AL; sons James Thomas Markley (Judy) of Palmyra, PA, Scott Markley (Tina) of Lake Wales, and John Eric Markley of Bowie, MD; three grandsons; and thousands of lives touched.

Receiving a call to the ministry while still in high school. Rev. Markley began his career in the ministry at Matoaca Baptist Church in Matoaca, VA while still in college. In 1959, he married Marge Allerdice, whom he met at a Youth for Christ rally. Their honeymoon was a romantic four-day drive, pulling a U-Haul behind a 1957 Chevy from Washington, DC to Fort Worth, TX, where Dick was to attend Southwestern Baptist Seminary. While in seminary, he continued to work at churches in the Fort Worth area, and upon graduation, Rev. Markley accepted his first full-time pastorate in Rockville, MD. He would go on to spend the rest of his 45-year career in Southern Baptist churches in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and North Carolina. He also served as a Chaplain at the Atlantic City (NJ) Rescue Mission, and participated in missions trips to Alaska, China, and the Middle East among other places. His warm and gentle manner won him friends at each church, and many members stayed in touch for years afterwards. Upon official retirement from vocational ministry in 2008, Rev. Markley and Marge moved to Lake Wales, where they’ve made more friends, including many at First Baptist Church.

Dick was a devoted husband, father and grandfather, much loved by his family. He was a voracious reader – rarely without a book, a ruler, and pen for note-taking – and a compendium of obscure information.  He was fond of slippers, backrubs, whistling, Tabasco sauce, fried red (not green) tomatoes, televised sports, Old Spice cologne, screwball comedies, unsweetened iced tea, and affordably-priced restaurants. It was commonly believed that he took daily naps, but in fact he was only ever “just resting his eyes.”

A memorial service will be held at 11 am on Monday, June 11, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.marionnelsonfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Missions fund at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales.