Colonel David Robert Cooksey (USAF retired)

Cooksey
Colonel David Robert Cooksey (USAF retired) passed away on May 14, 2021, from complications following a routine surgical procedure. He was born and raised in Jacksonville, FL and graduated from Wolfson High School where he played football and ran track. David was preceded in death by his father, Bryan Cooksey, Jr. He leaves behind his loving wife of 28 years, Nicole and their children Beau, Jon, Luke and Kelly as well as his beloved dogs Bubba and Otis. He is also survived by his mother Jane Cooksey, his siblings Beverly Mulholland (Sean), J. Bryan Cooksey III (Teresa), Cathy Patton (Pat), John Cooksey (Leyda); His father and mother-in-law Gene and Sue Stropes, his brother-in-law Doug Stropes (Tish) as well as many nieces and nephews. His family and his friends meant everything to him, and all will attest his family is his proudest attribute. The strongest reflection of what a great human David was can be found in his four incredible children. He was extremely kind and had a boundless intellect and even bigger sense of humor. There was never a moment in which he couldn't take a bad situation and turn it into a humorous event. He loved his community of Bayside and spending as much time as possible on the water.
David joined the United States Air Force on July 5, 1985, when he became a cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. He graduated from the Academy May 31, 1989, with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government. As a Second Lieutenant, he was an Intelligence and Communications Officer at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina. David was part of the initial cadre of forces that deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm to repel the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. While deployed, David prepared the infrastructure to support the deployment of over 500,000 troops to the region. Dave was vital to the detection and warning of incoming missile attacks on troops, and providing the intelligence to support the location and destruction of Iraqi missile launchers. David also served in Operation Enduring Freedom and spent significant time in Combined Joint Operations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Djibouti. In 1995, after completing his MBA at the University of South Carolina, Dave separated from the USAF to work in his family's business, McCall Service. Dave served McCall as its Chief Financial Officer and eventually co-owned it with his brothers. Together with his brothers, they were able to grow the business into one of the largest pest control companies in the US with a base of customers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.
As a direct result of the tragic events that occurred on September 11, 2001, Dave felt again called to the military and he joined the USAF Reserve as an aircraft maintenance officer. The flexibility of the Reserves allowed David to continue working at McCall Service, while dedicating time to also be in the Air Force. Initially assigned to Charleston Air Force Base, Dave ultimately was the Operations Officer for the organization, and was responsible for ensuring the base's aircraft were fully operational, safe and ready to fly. In 2010, David transferred to Patrick AFB in Florida, where he rose through the ranks to become the base's Deputy Group Commander. Dave was promoted to Colonel, and led the deployment of his unit to Djibouti. In Djibouti they were responsible for counterterrorism missions against Isis and Boko Haram terrorists. After an extremely distinguished career in the service of his country, Dave retired from the reserves in 2017.
David was a longtime past member of the Rotary Club of West Jacksonville and current member of the Rotary Club of St. Johns. He enjoyed teaching a class on family business at the University of North Florida. Additionally, he was the current Vice President of the Florida Pest Management Association and would have assumed the role of President in January 2023.
McCall Service was recently sold, and David found himself retired – again. Over the past few months, he, his wife and kids were actively developing a business plan, trademark and land acquisition for a dog park and beer garden. The family is exploring how to move forward and open "Bubba's Barkin' Barley."
Words cannot express the grief of his family and friends for a life taken well before his time. A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, at 4 PM. It will be held at the Bayside community dock in Switzerland, FL. The address to the dock is 951 Bayside Bluff Road, Jacksonville, FL. Parking directions will be provided upon arrival. The event is open to all friends, family and acquaintances of Dave and the family. Appropriate dress for the event is "Bayside dock and boating casual." Food and drinks will be served after the ceremony. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial donations be made to the "Bayside Wounded Warrior Fund." Nicole, Beau, Jon, Luke and Kelly intend to use contributions to this account to address education and other support needs of military spouses and families that find themselves grieving the loss of a service member. The family will select and make awards aligned with what they know Dave would have done. Donations should be made payable to the Bayside Wounded Warrior Fund LLC, and sent to: Attn: Andrew Wilfong, 1048 Anchor Road, St. Johns, FL 32259.
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