In Memoriam: David Cooksey

--update on 5/19 with additional information from McCall Service.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — David Cooksey, former co-owner of McCall Service, passed away on May 14, McCall Service announced.

In addition to his involvement with McCall Service (sold to Rollins in January), David served his country, retiring from the United States Air Force as a Colonel. He 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 U.S. with a base of customers in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama.

A Memorial Service and Celebration of Life is scheduled for Saturday, May 22, at 4 p.m. It will be held at the Bayside Community Dock in Switzerland, FL - 951 Bayside Bluff Road. Parking directions will be provided upon arrival. The service is open to all friends, family and acquaintances of David and the family.

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.