EDWARD MARKWELL

Markwell, Jr. May 16, 1931 - Jan 22, 2015 OKLAHOMA CITY Edward Lee Markwell Jr., 83, of Oklahoma City, died on January 22, 2015, peacefully at home after a lengthy battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born May 16, 1931, in Oklahoma City to Edward L. Markwell, Sr. & Marguerite Dancy Markwell. Ed was raised on a dairy farm near Northeast 63rd and Eastern and attended Millwood Grade School before attending Northeast High School. He then went on to attend Oklahoma A&M University. Ed played basketball his freshman year and pledged Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he formed many lifelong friendships. At Oklahoma A&M, he met Joan Zaloudek, and they were married on June 5, 1955. Ed began a lifelong career in oil and gas industry in 1962 when he and Ray Dawson formed Dawson-Markwell Exploration Company. He served on the boards of Directors of The Oklahoma Zoological Society, Mercy Hospital, First Western Bank, Heritage Hall School and the Bank of Kremlin. He was a member of Christ the King Catholic Church for over 50 years. He loved his OSU Cowboys! Ed is survived by his wife of 59 years and his three children, Madalyn Hawes, Edmond; Melanie Edelmaier and her husband David, of The Woodlands, TX; and his son, Edward L. "Tripp" Markwell, III and his wife Robin, of Edmond. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Claire Edelmaier, Caroline Edelmaier, Katherine Hawes, Grace Markwell, and Edward L. "Drew" Markwell, IV. He was preceded in death by his parents; and his sister, Barbara Avery. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 27 at Christ the King Catholic Church. The family wishes that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Mercy Health Foundation, P.O. Box 3266, Oklahoma City, OK 73101. A special thanks to his caregivers, Anitra Fleeks, April Littleton, and Michael Elsworth.