Lt. Col. Lawrence "Larry" William Markham, US Air Force (Ret.)

Lt. Col. Lawrence "Larry" William Markham, US Air Force (Ret.), 81, of Columbia, died on Sunday, September 20, 2026. Born on January 5, 1945, in Durham, North Carolina, he was the only child of Jesse Alvin Markham and Lala Mae Brady Markham.

Lt. Col. Markham honorably served his country for over 22 years in the United States Air Force and Air National Guard. Following his military career, he worked for the State of South Carolina for eight years. He also taught and was an administrator at Midlands Technical College, Robert Morris University, and Coker College.

He was a dedicated member of Northeast United Methodist Church where he was active in the United Methodist Men’s Ministry and was the “Kitchen Guy” for numerous groups and events. Larry also enjoyed spending time with his family and continuing his education.

Survivors include his wife, Dianne Gallimore Markham; children, Stacey Benson (Patrick) of York, SC, Dan Markham (Julia) of Ft. Worth, TX, James “Jamie” Markham of Durham, NC, and Karen Murray (Brian Parnell) of Columbia. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Collin Benson, Riley Benson (Kelsey), Layne Brown (Allen), Bri Parnell, Sutton Murray, Isabel Wolfe (Graham), Aidan Murray, Owen Markham, Anna Markham, Ellis Murray, Liam Markham, Kyle Parnell, Olivia Markham, Finn Murray, Brennan Markham, Emily Markham, Connor Markham, Cerys Murray, and Zoey Markham, as well as his great grandchildren, Aubrey Wolfe and Luka Benson.

A memorial service to celebrate Lt. Col. Markham’s life will be held on Saturday, September 26th at Northeast United Methodist Church, 4000 Hard Scrabble Rd, Columbia, SC 29223, with Rev. Antoinette Gaboton-Moss officiating. The family will receive friends starting at 3 o’clock and a memorial service at 4 o’clock.

A committal service with full military honors will be held in November at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, PO Box 502408, San Diego, CA 92150.

A livestream of the service is available to be viewed at the following links:

https://link.edgepilot.com/x/76nraQHDIM5Gp7ZubAlMB0g?u=http://www.facebook.com/neumcsc

https://link.edgepilot.com/x/0XRAcBxdpArS_Eue76BQ9ZM?u=http://www.youtube.com/@northeastumc

Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, is assisting the family.