Jessie Eugene ‘Gene’ Cooksey

Jessie E. ‘Gene’ Cooksey passed away at his home on Oct. 18, 2020 at the age of 82. Gene was born in Waukeenah, Fla. on Jan. 6, 1938. He was the youngest of 5 boys born to Fred and Gladys Hornsby Cooksey. He and his brothers were taught the value (or necessity) of a hard day’s work. He loved his family first of all and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He had a talent for fixing things that didn’t work or ways to make it work better.

Gene attended and graduated from Jefferson County High School. He played football there and still loved the game. Football season was a great enjoyment to him. He proudly served his country in the US Navy, serving from 1959 to 1963. During his service he was stationed in California, but traveled to many areas of the world. The main vessel was USS Midway that is now docked in California and open for tours.

The one thing that he always wanted the world to know is how much he loved Jefferson County. He served as County Commissioner for 32 years in addition to his gas business, Cooksey Oil Company. Not being one to sit and rest awhile, he farmed many years. He and his dear friend Bill Cannon, planted watermelons for the summer harvest and their kids would love to tell you what those ‘working summers’ were like!!

The only thing he wasn’t able to fix was the lung cancer that was discovered in 2019. After a year of chemotherapy and radiation, he was so tired and graduated to his heavenly home. His family loved him very much and was in awe of his strength to fight.
Gene is survived by his wife, Rachel Ward Cooksey; his daughters, Jeanna Sculley and Miranda (Roger) Trammell and his son, Jessie E. Cooksey, Jr. (Kristi). He is also survived by seven grandchildren; Danielle Stephens (Scott), Micah and Caleb Sculley, Rodney and Jordyn Trammell, Caroline and Ella Cooksey. Also, three great grandchildren, McKenzie, Adalyn and Aleeha. He is also survived by one brother, Paul A. Cooksey (Barbara) of Lamont. In addition, he is survived by a brother-in-law, Mitchel and Janet Ward and sister-in-law, Joy and Mark Scharein. Sisters-in-law, Norma and Berlene Cooksey. In addition, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Gladys Hornsby Cooksey, brothers, Robert (Florence), Franklin and James A. Cooksey.

Services for Gene will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020 at Waukeenah United Methodist Church. Visitation will be 30 minutes prior to the service. Graveside will follow at Waukeenah Methodist Church Cemetery. Arrangements are being handled by Beggs Funeral Homes, Inc. Monticello Chapel. Donations may be made to Big Bend Hospice or Waukeenah United Methodist Church.