Alan Markham, Sr.,

Alan Edward Markham, Sr., 87, of Duluth, passed away peacefully on February 14, 2017 surrounded by his wife and sons.

Al was born in Duluth to Harry and Ann on October 7, 1929.  He was a lifelong resident of Duluth, where he attended Cathedral High School and the University of Minnesota Duluth.  Alan married the love of his life, Eulalie Higgins, on June 12, 1965, a marriage of 51 years.  Al and Eulie have three sons, Peter, Alan Jr. and Daniel.

Al was a fixture in downtown Duluth for close to 60 years as a partner in the iconic Allenfall’s clothing store.  Allenfall’s was the place everyone stopped to discuss all that was happening in Duluth with Al, Leo and Julie.  To this day, his family still hears from friends and acquaintances about how much the store meant to them.

Al was a current member of the Duluth Retriever Club and Rotary Club #25 of Duluth, and served proudly in the Air National Guard.  Al was a tireless, passionate fundraiser.  Close to his heart were UMD athletics (particularly the Blueline Club dedicated to the men’s hockey team), the Duluth Retriever Club, and wildlife conservation through such organizations as Ducks Unlimited.  Al was a founding member of the Arrowhead Chapter of Ducks Unlimited in the early 1970s, bringing that national organization and their conservation programs to the region.

Al was a passionate hunter and fisherman.  He’s a past member of Plushville Duck Camp on Squaw Lake, where he hunted with his wife Eulie and passed on the love of duck and upland hunting to his sons.  He’s also a past member of The Take ‘Em Club on Lake of the Woods where he and his buddies would hunt ducks in the morning and fish for walleyes in the afternoon.  During the summer months, Al & Eulie spent many evenings shotgunning and socializing at the Deloia Trapshooting Club, and later at Old Vermilion Club.  They also spent many years golfing together at Ridgeview County Club.

Al loved Labrador retrievers, particularly black Labs, and running them in Field Trials, a passion he pursued as a lifetime member of the Duluth Retriever Club.  He owned more labs than could be counted, and amassed a pile of trophies with his dogs over the decades.  Some of his fondest memories are of the times spent in the training fields with his friends, his dogs and his 3 sons.  When he could no longer train his own dogs, he became the self-appointed chief fundraiser for the DRC.  Over the past 20 years, there is not a capital project at the club that doesn’t have his fingerprints on it.  In 2016, the entrance to Nelson’s Field was named Al Markham Drive by the DRC.

All who knew Al Markham were aware of his deep love for his grandchildren.  His was filled with pride at their accomplishments and never missed a chance to tell you.  Nothing made him happier than grilling a leg of lamb (after a lengthy search for the perfect cut) and taking “grandpa’s spot” at the head of the holiday dining table surrounded by his family and five grandchildren.

Al was preceded in death by parents and sister, Doreen Jackson.

Al is survived by his wife, Eulalie; sons, Peter (Sarah Merry), Alan Jr. (Dana), and Dan (Cathy); his grandchildren, Benjamin, Peter, Ruby, Ivy, and Sylvie; and his brother-in-law, John Jackson; numerous nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

Visitation will be 12:30PM with Mass of Christian Burial at 2PM, Monday, February 20, 2017 in the Cathedral of our Lady of the Rosary, 2801 E 4th St, Duluth, MN 55812.

Memorials may be made to the Duluth Retriever Club, PO Box 3074, Duluth, MN 55803, or Holy Rosary School, 2802 East 4th Street, Duluth, MN 55812.

Arrangements by Dougherty Funeral Home, 218-727-3555