Obituary —James J. Cooksey

February 7th, 1937 – October 29th, 2024

James "Jim" Cooksey, 87, of Lompoc, passed away peacefully in the arms of his loving wife at his home on October 29th, 2024, after a long and fulfilling life.

Jim was born to Claude C. Cooksey and Selma Venable on February 7th, 1937, in Miles City, MT. He had one older brother, Allan Gordon, who passed away as an infant in 1935. Claude passed away suddenly of rheumatic fever nine months after Jim's birth, and Jim was subsequently raised by his mother, Selma, and his grandparents, Joseph Milton Venable and Cora Eis Venable, who were his heroes. In 1947, Selma married John Blankenship, and through this union, Jim gained four brothers whom he cherished: John, Van, Bud, and Bill Blankenship. Also, in 1947, at the age of 10, Jim was admitted to the hospital for rheumatic fever for three months. While he fully recovered from his illness, he developed a voracious appetite for reading during his hospital stay that never faltered for the remainder of his life.

Jim grew up ranching and shooting in Eastern Montana and rode horseback to his one-room, all-grade country school. As a teenager, Jim worked with his uncle and grandfather at the Miles City stockyard. In 1958, Jim joined the U.S. Army, serving for three years as a BAR Rifleman. This same year, he met and married his first wife, and they later welcomed two children: Jack Cooksey, born in 1962, and Kathryn "Kathy" Cooksey, born in 1963. After completing his service in the Army, Jim moved to Minnesota and managed a ranch for his uncle. There, he learned to canoe, a love he would continue sharing with his family for the next 40 years. Jim joined the Federal Prison Service at FCI Sandstone in 1963, running the FCI ranch and eventually joining the guard force. In the mid-1970s, Jim earned his Pilot's License and, to his family's delight, showed them their ranch from above. His career in the Federal Prison Service led him to be transferred to Englewood, CO, and later to Lompoc, CA, where he retired as a Correctional Supervisor in 1987.

In 1982, he married Jan Sorum and built a life and a family that he was so very proud of. Jim was an uncomplicated man with impeccable character and integrity. He was a trusted advisor, thoughtful conversationalist, and reliable pillar by which his family leaned on regularly. His partnership with Jan was evidence that love endures all things, and their marriage was filled with unconditional love that was apparent to all. He was adored by his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren alike, and he thoroughly enjoyed their regular visits that persisted up until his passing. In addition to reading, he loved to spend his time shooting for fun and for competition, often at the Vandenberg Rod & Gun Club, with friends and family. He had a gift for teaching, and he used this gift to patiently teach his children and grandchildren how to shoot, read, bake pies, look for constellations in the night sky, and play chess. Though he was very strong, Jim had a tender heart and had no hesitation in letting his loved ones know how much he appreciated them.

Jim is survived by his loving wife, Jan; sons Jack (Cheryl) Cooksey, George (Frances) Sorum, Mark (Lela) Sorum, Paul (Tanya) Sorum, and Doug (Brittany) Sorum; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers John (Becky), Bud (Debbie), and Bill (Kitty) Blankenship; and his nieces and nephews. Jim was predeceased by his daughter Kathy Cooksey Troop, his brother Van (Sandy) Blankenship, his parents, his grandparents, and one grandchild.

A memorial service and celebration of life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on November 30th, 2024, at St. Mary's Episcopal Church in Lompoc, CA.