Albert Ray "Punk" Cooksey left this life July 4, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, while holding the hand of his one true love, his wife of 60 years, Eunice. He was 88 years old.
Ray was born April 15, 1928, in Atkins, Arkansas to Enoch and Bessie Cooksey. He married Eunice Marie Wilder on December 28, 1955, and in their years together they raised four children and built a home to which their family has always been happy to return.
He graduated from Atkins High School and enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 21 years. During his tenure in the Navy, which included both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict, he was awarded three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Silver Star. After his years of military service, he worked in the Atkins Public School system for more than 20 years, first as a janitor and later as a bus driver. He loved "hauling the knot heads" much more than any of them could have ever known.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially Friday night football, quail hunting and trail riding. Horses and riding were a life-long passion and, in his early years, he was a member of the California Pro Rodeo Association. He rode actively until he was in his early 80s and was never happier than when he was in the saddle or horse camping with his buddies. He was an avid reader, a lover of music, especially country music, and a wonderful dancer. His sense of humor and quick wit were amazing and exasperating, all at the same time, and were always served up with a sly grin. He was a member of National Rifle Association, Atkins Riding Club, and Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church..
Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Eunice, his son, Earl Wilder (Pam), of Ramona, California, his daughters, Virginia Largent (John) of Phoenix, Arizona and Terri Loperfido (Tom) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, his brother, Bervin "Bird" Cooksey (Wanda), of Atkins, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, two of his brothers, Ben and Pete Cooksey, his sisters, Lorene Nottoli, Brownie Randazzo and Jewel Railey, and one son, Jimmy Wilder.
Visitation will be at Lemley Funeral Service in Atkins, Arkansas on Sunday, July 10th, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the service, also at Lemley, on Monday, the 11th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery immediately following the service.
Published online by Lemley Funeral Home, Atkins, Arkansas.
Ray was born April 15, 1928, in Atkins, Arkansas to Enoch and Bessie Cooksey. He married Eunice Marie Wilder on December 28, 1955, and in their years together they raised four children and built a home to which their family has always been happy to return.
He graduated from Atkins High School and enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 21 years. During his tenure in the Navy, which included both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict, he was awarded three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Silver Star. After his years of military service, he worked in the Atkins Public School system for more than 20 years, first as a janitor and later as a bus driver. He loved "hauling the knot heads" much more than any of them could have ever known.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially Friday night football, quail hunting and trail riding. Horses and riding were a life-long passion and, in his early years, he was a member of the California Pro Rodeo Association. He rode actively until he was in his early 80s and was never happier than when he was in the saddle or horse camping with his buddies. He was an avid reader, a lover of music, especially country music, and a wonderful dancer. His sense of humor and quick wit were amazing and exasperating, all at the same time, and were always served up with a sly grin. He was a member of National Rifle Association, Atkins Riding Club, and Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church..
Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Eunice, his son, Earl Wilder (Pam), of Ramona, California, his daughters, Virginia Largent (John) of Phoenix, Arizona and Terri Loperfido (Tom) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, his brother, Bervin "Bird" Cooksey (Wanda), of Atkins, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, two of his brothers, Ben and Pete Cooksey, his sisters, Lorene Nottoli, Brownie Randazzo and Jewel Railey, and one son, Jimmy Wilder.
Visitation will be at Lemley Funeral Service in Atkins, Arkansas on Sunday, July 10th, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the service, also at Lemley, on Monday, the 11th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery immediately following the service.
Published online by Lemley Funeral Home, Atkins, Arkansas.
Albert Ray "Punk" Cooksey left this life July 4, 2016, in Phoenix, Arizona, while holding the hand of his one true love, his wife of 60 years, Eunice. He was 88 years old.
Ray was born April 15, 1928, in Atkins, Arkansas to Enoch and Bessie Cooksey. He married Eunice Marie Wilder on December 28, 1955, and in their years together they raised four children and built a home to which their family has always been happy to return.
He graduated from Atkins High School and enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 21 years. During his tenure in the Navy, which included both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict, he was awarded three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Silver Star. After his years of military service, he worked in the Atkins Public School system for more than 20 years, first as a janitor and later as a bus driver. He loved "hauling the knot heads" much more than any of them could have ever known.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially Friday night football, quail hunting and trail riding. Horses and riding were a life-long passion and, in his early years, he was a member of the California Pro Rodeo Association. He rode actively until he was in his early 80s and was never happier than when he was in the saddle or horse camping with his buddies. He was an avid reader, a lover of music, especially country music, and a wonderful dancer. His sense of humor and quick wit were amazing and exasperating, all at the same time, and were always served up with a sly grin. He was a member of National Rifle Association, Atkins Riding Club, and Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church..
Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Eunice, his son, Earl Wilder (Pam), of Ramona, California, his daughters, Virginia Largent (John) of Phoenix, Arizona and Terri Loperfido (Tom) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, his brother, Bervin "Bird" Cooksey (Wanda), of Atkins, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, two of his brothers, Ben and Pete Cooksey, his sisters, Lorene Nottoli, Brownie Randazzo and Jewel Railey, and one son, Jimmy Wilder.
Visitation will be at Lemley Funeral Service in Atkins, Arkansas on Sunday, July 10th, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the service, also at Lemley, on Monday, the 11th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery immediately following the service.
Published online by Lemley Funeral Home, Atkins, Arkansas.
Ray was born April 15, 1928, in Atkins, Arkansas to Enoch and Bessie Cooksey. He married Eunice Marie Wilder on December 28, 1955, and in their years together they raised four children and built a home to which their family has always been happy to return.
He graduated from Atkins High School and enlisted in the United States Navy where he proudly served for 21 years. During his tenure in the Navy, which included both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict, he was awarded three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, and the Silver Star. After his years of military service, he worked in the Atkins Public School system for more than 20 years, first as a janitor and later as a bus driver. He loved "hauling the knot heads" much more than any of them could have ever known.
Ray enjoyed sports, especially Friday night football, quail hunting and trail riding. Horses and riding were a life-long passion and, in his early years, he was a member of the California Pro Rodeo Association. He rode actively until he was in his early 80s and was never happier than when he was in the saddle or horse camping with his buddies. He was an avid reader, a lover of music, especially country music, and a wonderful dancer. His sense of humor and quick wit were amazing and exasperating, all at the same time, and were always served up with a sly grin. He was a member of National Rifle Association, Atkins Riding Club, and Union Grove Freewill Baptist Church..
Ray is survived by his devoted and loving wife, Eunice, his son, Earl Wilder (Pam), of Ramona, California, his daughters, Virginia Largent (John) of Phoenix, Arizona and Terri Loperfido (Tom) of Cedar Falls, Iowa, his brother, Bervin "Bird" Cooksey (Wanda), of Atkins, eleven grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, seven great-great grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, two of his brothers, Ben and Pete Cooksey, his sisters, Lorene Nottoli, Brownie Randazzo and Jewel Railey, and one son, Jimmy Wilder.
Visitation will be at Lemley Funeral Service in Atkins, Arkansas on Sunday, July 10th, between 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., with the service, also at Lemley, on Monday, the 11th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery immediately following the service.
Published online by Lemley Funeral Home, Atkins, Arkansas.
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