John Cooksey
| John Charles Cooksey | |
 | |
| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Cleo Fields |
|---|---|
| Succeeded by | Rodney Alexander |
| Born | August 20, 1941 Alexandria, Louisiana |
| Died | June 4, 2022 (aged 80) Columbia, Caldwell Parish, LouisianapARISH |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Grabill Cooksey |
| Children | Three children Parents: |
| Residence | Monroe, Louisiana |
| Alma mater | Louisiana State University (Bachelor of Science) (M.D.) |
| Occupation | Ophthalmologist and surgeon |
Military Service
| |
| Service/branch | United States Air Force |
| Years of service | 1967-1969 Reserve 1969 to 1972 |
John Charles Cooksey (August 20, 1941 — June 4, 2022) was an American ophthalmologist and surgeon who served from 1997 and 2003 as a Republican U.S. Representative for Louisiana's 5th congressional district, which encompasses much of the eastern portion of the state.
though a long-term resident of Monroe, Cooksey was born in Alexandria in Rapides Parish in Central Louisiana. He graduated from La Salle High School in Olla in LaSalle Parish, where his father operated a sawmill. He attended Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge and received his M.D. degree from the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans in 1966. In 1994, he received a Master of Business Administration from the University of Texas in Austin. From 1967 to 1969, he served in the United States Air Force, where he was stationed in Texas and Thailand.From 1969 to 1972, he was a member of the Air Force Reserve from 1969 until 1972[1]
Cooksey was elected to Congress in 1996 for the 5th congressional district for three terms, traditionally based in the northeastern quadrant of the state about Monroe, but since reconfigured to reach deep into southeastern Louisiana as well. Cooksey first won the seat by defeating Democratic state legislator Francis C. Thompson of Delhi in Richland Parish, a current state representative and a former state senator. Cooksey had edged past former U.S. Representative Clyde Holloway of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish in the nonpartisan blanket primary. In that campaign, Cooksey made his three-terms-and-out pledge. As he had promised, he did not seek a fourth term in 2002 but instead ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate against the Democrat Mary Landrieu of New Orleans. After that campaign, he resumed his medical practice in Monroe.[1]
Though Representative Cooksey voiced opposition to abortion, he opposed the long-shot attempt to pursue a constitutional amendment against the practice. He hired Luke Letlow as an aide and driver who won the 2020 election for the 5th congressional seat but died of coronavirus before he could take office. Letlow's widow, Julia Letlow, won the special election to fill the seat left by her husband.[1]
Louisiana's Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards paid tribute to Cooksey, accordingly: "Former Congressman John Cooksey leaves behind a long legacy of service to our state and nation that will not soon be forgotten. He has helped and inspired countless young people and worked hard to improve life for others. He served his country and his community in every way he could, from the Air Force to Congress to his medical practice as an ophthalmologist.[2]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 John Cooksey Net Worth At Death, His Wife And Family- How Did He Die? (mixedarticle.com), accessed June 6, 2022.
- ↑ Governor Edwards honors late Congressman John Cooksey. BRPride. Retrieved on June 6, 2022.
