02/14/2026
WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE THE FAMILY OF:
Marcum Brogan, 91, left his earthly family and joined the love of his life, Wilma, and other family members in heaven on Saturday afternoon, February 7, 2026, at the Middlesboro Nursing and Rehab Facility. He was born on July 22nd, 1934, at home, in Dayhoit, Ky to the late James Howard Brogan and Mary Evans Brogan. He was also predeceased by 13 siblings (8 brothers and 5 sisters), 2 died as infants, and a host of other family members. As a side note, because his parents had so many children, the Doctor that delivered him thought Marcum should be named after him … so without his Mother’s knowledge, or permission, the Doctor filled out the birth certificate with the name he had chosen. Needless to say, when his Mother found out she immediately demanded it be changed. To this day, his birth certificate has the “original” name marked through and his named was changed.
Marcum had the distinction of being the “baby” of the Brogan clan. His parents had 15 children, and he was the 15th one. There was a 25 year age difference between the first sibling and Marcum. The joke was always that he had nieces and nephews that were older than him! Since his family was so large, there are still a lot of family members to carry on the Irish Brogan legacy.
Marcum was well educated, a leader in the community, and a leader at his church. He graduated from Middlesboro High School in 1952, served in the US Navy from 1952- 1955, graduated from LMU in 1958, and graduated from The Banking School of the South in 1968 and 1978. He moved to Middlesboro as a small child, left to serve in the military, and to work in other communities (Columbia, KY and Louisville, KY), then returned to Middlesboro in 1963 to make it his home.
He worked for E. Oscar Robertson at Commercial Bank, now known as Community Trust, for 33 ½ years before retiring as President. Marcum served on the Board of Directors for Commercial Bank from 1977 to 1996. He served on the Advisory Board of the Bell County Market of Community Trust Bank, from 1996 until his health would no longer permit him to serve in 2022. During his tenue on both Boards, he served as Secretary.
Marcum was involved in Community Service over his lifetime, having served as President for 2 terms with the local Rotary International Club, served as President of the local Chamber of Commerce was affiliated with the 4-H Counsel, and the Economic Development Committee of Discover Downtown Middlesboro, now known as Middlesboro Main Street. In 2020, Marcum was honored by the City he loved with the distinction as “Admiral of Yellow Creek.”
After retirement from Banking, Marcum continued to be active with his church, worked at WFXY selling advertisements, and worked with Green Hills Funeral Home, having been with the Funeral home since it opened in 2013, as a Greeter, until his illness in 2022. Marcum also worked at Shades Café & Steakhouse once the Steakhouse began as a Host. He asked Teresa how do you get to be a Host at Shades because you know I know everybody and if I don’t know them, I will by the time they leave. Typical Marcum.
Marcum was a life-long member of Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church (60+ years), where he served as a Deacon, Youth Director, Sunday School Teacher, and Church Treasurer. There are so many good memories of the Charter Bus trips the youth took when he was the Director. So much fun. So much laughter from the guys especially: Dennis Oxford, David Mike, Mike Coatney, Johnny Chadwell, to name a few.
For 29 years, Marcum taught Sunday School over the radio for the shut-ins of the church and the community to enjoy. Marcum also visited many of the local churches.
If you got up early enough, you would see Marcum walking in the community (with his very tall walking stick). Most 20 year olds couldn’t hold a light to his s***k and energy.
Marcum was a “people person.” He never met a stranger and was always willing to help if needed. He was always ready with a helping hand … and a joke. If you knew Marcum, you knew he loved life. He was all about everyone having a good time if they were around him. This thought pattern continued during his stay at the Middlesboro Nursing and Rehab facility. He kept the workers in stitches with his jokes, sense of humor, and made up songs. (He couldn’t “carry a tune in a bucket”)
Marcum enjoyed an inspiring life up until January of 2022 when his health started failing. Beginning in May of 2022, Marcum made his home at the Middlesboro Nursing and Rehab Center. He was always ready with a joke and a hug. He loved the Staff dearly and they loved him. He loved the socialization at the facility and the entire staff that doted on him daily.
Marcum is survived by his devoted Daughter, Teresa (John) Brown (Middlesboro, KY), Son, Dr. Rev. Tim (Renee) Brogan (Loganville, GA) two grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Amy Brogan (Nashville, TN) and David (Maddie) Brogan (Denver, CO); his sister, Doris Campbell, who now holds the distinction of the only remaining original Brogan sibling and also the longest living Brogan, age wise; Sister-in-law (more like a sister), Pat Gripshover (Willis, MA), Brother-in-law (more like a brother), Paul (Sunny) Miracle (Grand Prairie, TX); plus numerous nieces, nephews and many friends, including special friends who he talked with almost every day: Wayne Ausmus, Helen Cox, Mildred Shumate, Joyce Middleton and Sandra Bayless.
We would like to thank our friend and doctor, Dr. C. A. Moore and his staff, and the wonderful and caring staff at the Middlesboro Nursing and Rehab Facility. Marcum was so appreciative of all their care and love during his residence. All the Aids at the facility called him Papaw and loved on him daily, telling him goodbye and that they loved him every time their shift ended.
Visitation will be held on Monday, February 16, 2026 from 3:00PM to 6:00PM, with the Celebration of Life to follow at 6:00PM, at Green Hills Funeral Home with his daughter,Teresa Brown, and Son, Dr. Rev. Tim Brogan presiding. Music will be provided by Paige Campbell and Thomasa Risner.
Marcum’s favorite color was red. You are encouraged to wear red for his visitation/funeral/burial to honor him.
A Graveside service will be held immediately following the funeral at Green Hills Mausoleum, with John Parker giving the closing remarks and John and Beth Parker providing a closing hymn.
Pallbearers will be family and friends. Honorary Pallbearers will be special friends Wayne Ausmus, Charles Rector, and Dr Meredith Evans, Deacons from Old Yellow Creek Baptist Church and the Board of Directors of Community Trust Bank.
In lieu of flowers, the family asked that donations be made to St. Judes or The Gideons.
Green Hills Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is honored to serve the Brogan family.
www.greenhillsfuneralhome.com
