Samuel Johnson "Bubba" Cooksey

1940 - 2012

Samuel Johnson ""Bubba"" Cooksey, 71, of Front Royal passed away Wednesday, January 4, 2012 in his home.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, January 9th, at 12:00 p.m. at Maddox Funeral Home in Front Royal conducted by The Rev. Jim Bunce and The Rev. Dottie Holden. Burial will follow in Shenandoah Memorial Park in Winchester.

Mr. Cooksey was born September 28, 1940 in Washington, Virginia, son of the late Samuel Hawthorne and Virginia Johnson Cooksey.

He was a retired constructions worker and a member of Marlow Heights Baptist Church. He was actively involved with Little League Baseball in Front Royal and enjoyed hunting and spending time with his grandchildren.

Sammy was a very talented athlete and played baseball and basketball all throughout his childhood. He loved playing American legion baseball, in which his team won a state championship. He excelled in both baseball and basketball while playing for RMA and later at Pan American College in the early 1960's. He was such a dominating ball player that he was offered several scholarships from several other universities. He was also offered a chance to play for the Pittsburgh Pirates. His most beloved team and his proudest moment was when he was a part on Front Royal's 1953 Little League World Series team in which their team finished third in the world. Sam and his teammates were simply a cut above all other baseball players of their time, and no Little League team in this area has come close to doing what they did.

Besides sports, Sammy loved to hunt and enjoyed spending time with his favorite hunting buddies Billy and Billy Joe Robinson, Johnny Merchant, and Dougie Allison. During his lifetime he killed several very large bucks that went into the record books and even killed a black bear in the 1980's that was the Virginia state record for several years.

Sam was his daughter Jennifer's rock and she loved him more than life itself. He was so proud of the mother that she had grown to be. He loved his son-in-law Jason like a son and it meant so much to him knowing that he would take such good care of his daughter and grandchildren. Sam was also very proud of his daughter Hope and was so happy to have her in his family. He was so happy that both of his grandsons love to play sports and that his granddaughter Skylar was his little princess. The time that Skylar had with him was cut short, but ""Bubba"" gave her enough love to last a lifetime. Nita was Sam's baby sister and always had a special place in his heart for her. He was like a second dad to Billy Joe and Susie, and they both have many fond memories of time spent with their brother.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Sandy Clark Cooksey; two daughters, Jennifer Cooksey Coleman of Front Royal and her husband Jason Coleman and Hope Ann Kirtley of Browntown and her husband Keith Kirtley; three grandchildren, David Allen Heisler, Jason Christopher Coleman, Jr., and Skylar Jade Elizabeth Coleman; a sister, Juanita Cooksey Robinson of Front Royal and her husband Billy Robinson; two nieces, Susie Robinson Massie and Sheena Forbus; three nephews, Billy Joe and wife Ashley Robinson, Kevin Clark, and C. J. Williams; a Goddaughter, Crystal Merchant; a great-nephew, Evan Massie; a mother-in-law, Geneva Merchant Elkins; two sisters-in-law, Frances Toney and Connie Clark; and long time friend, Ronald Figgins.

He was preceded in death by his special canine companions Ashlee and Wendy.

Sam and Sandy have a special love that will last forever.

Pallbearers will be the 1953 Little League World Series Team, J. D. Brady, Jiles Darr, Archie Fox, Lee Wines, Mike Berryman, Jimmy Jordon, and Maxie Cameron.

Honorary Pallbearers will be Dave Tobin, Billy Kenney, Cowboy Henry, and Janice Miller (Wife of Warren Miller).

The family will receive friends on Sunday from 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601.

We know now is not good-bye because we will meet again at Heaven's gate.

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