John B. Cooksey

John B. Cooksey

Memorial services for John B. Cooksey, 64, of Newcastle and formerly of Casper will be held Saturday, May 10 at 10 a.m. at United Methodist Church in Newcastle. Rev. John Olenyik will officiate with burial following at the family ranch.

Cooksey died on Apr. 24 following surgery involving a malignant brain tumor. He was born on June 18, 1921 at Newcastle to Collet "Mose" and Irene (Bennett) Cooksey. He attended schools in Niobrara County, Edgemont, SD, and Pre-Flight School in Ames. IA.

After seven years of service in the US Navy, Cooksey returned to the States and married (Grace) Dutrow of North Platte, NE on Aug. 19, 1953. In January 1955, they moved to Casper where John owned and operated a G.I. and V.A. approved flight school, extending his operation in Douglas in 1972. He moved to the home ranch in 1974 to care for his widowed mother.

From the ranch, he took a pipeline contract with Wyoming Pipeline Company, Wyoming Refining Company and Northwest Crude Inc. He had 40 years of experience as a pilot and flight instructor.

Survivors include his wife, Grace; his mother, Irene, both of the family ranch; his son, Donald R. Cooksey, an aunt, Grace McDonald of Oregon; and many nieces and nephews.

Memorial in John's memory to construct a burial plot may be made to the family, or flowers will be appreciated.

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