Howard Braxton Marcum

Howard Braxton Marcum, Jr. left this life on August 10, 2025. He was born in Galveston, Texas on January 11, 1941, and raised in St. Albans, West Virginia. He was the oldest son of Howard and Mary Lou Marcum. His father worked for Union Carbide; his mother taught kindergarten and Sunday school and raised four children. His brother, Michael Marcum, and twin sisters, Jamie Lou Omalley and Mary Sue Selby miss him dearly and hold him close in their hearts.

Howard was brilliant, funny, empathic, and open. He started reading National Geographics in high school; he wanted to learn everything possible about this world and its people. He loved Elvis and Motown. He dressed in a smooth, dapper style. He danced on TV at the local bandstand. He was the first in his family to go to college, graduating from West Virginia State University. And then earning a master’s degree and PhD in Psychology from the University of Illinois-Urbana. He loved the mountains, half-runners, and cherry-o-cream pie. His personal library and record collection are the archives of a lifetime.

Howard devoted his career to military veterans, working as a psychologist for the Veteran’s Administration in Danville, Illinois for over thirty years. He met the love of his life, Nancy Marcum, as a nurse at the VA. They married on New Year’s Day in 1979. They made a home, a life, and a family together.

They saw whales spout off the coast of Alaska; they swam with dolphins; they took dream trips to Paris; and they got lucky in Vegas. You were always welcome at their table for good food, warm conversation, and a game of cards.

Nancy preceded Howard in death in 2020.

Their children – Joshua Marcum, Rachel Cunningham, Suzanne Ashworth, and Greg Wilder – remember their laughter, their strength, and their constancy. Their grandchildren remember the same. And we all remember Howard’s unconditional love. It’s lonelier without him.

A private family service will be held at a later date. If you want to honor Howard’s memory, please donate to the Veteran’s Administration Hospital or veteran’s organization of your choice.