BYRON T COOKSEY passed away suddenly on February 4, 2014 after 86 years of a life filled with God’s greatest blessings.

He was a man of the utmost integrity and character who spent his life in the service of others. Anyone who asked B.T. for assistance never heard a “no” in response.

B.T. was a native of Vero Beach. He was born to parents A.E. Cooksey & Genevieve R. Butler (Radinsky) on September 29, 1927. He was a member of Vero Beach High School Class of 1945 and graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1950 where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. B.T. graduated from the University of Florida Levin College of Law with an LLB in 1955 where he was a member of Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. He was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1956.

He served as an associate at McCarty & Brown in Ft. Pierce and later as a partner in the firms Brown & Cooksey and McCarty, Brown, Cooksey & Alderman in Ft. Pierce, Fl. He was a founding partner of the Law Firm Gould, Cooksey & Fennell where he practiced law for over fifty years. B.T. was licensed to practice in all Florida Courts, Federal District Court, Tax Court of the United States, US Court of Patent Appeals and the US Supreme Court: United States Circuit Court of Appeals. He was a member of The Florida Bar, Indian River County Bar Association(past president), Florida Academy of Trail Lawyers, American Bar Association, American Association of Trial Lawyers, American Judicature, Federal Bar Association, American Arbitration Association, and the 19th Circuit Grievance Committee.

B.T. served in the US Navy during World War II aboard the USS Rowe. He also served in the US Army during the Korean War and was recruited as a civilian attorney during the Vietnam War.

B.T. was involved in numerous civic and business organizations during his lifetime. He was the Director of Civil Defense for Indian River County, Past President of the Vero Beach Volunteer Fire Dept., Past Senior Warden & Chancellor of Trinity Episcopal Church, a Rotarian, a Mason and a Shriner.

B.T. was one of the owners of Indian Summer Groves, Quality Fruit Packers, CAV Corporation and other business ventures and served as a director of The Packers of Indian River, Dickerson-Florida, Inc., Indian River Processors and Security, Federal & United Savings of America.

B.T. was an avid outdoorsman and a lover of all things Vero Beach.

His Vero Beach postcard collection is one of a kind filling twelve volumes and dating back to 1911. His collection of old newspaper articles and photos are on display at several businesses around town, including his law firm.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Jacquelyn Parks Cooksey, his three children Margaret Young (Patrick), Byron Thomas Cooksey, II (Stephany), Elizabeth Tucker (Michael) and seven Grandchildren, Andrew P. Young, Parker W. Young, Delaney E. Cooksey, Palmer L. Cooksey, William C. Tucker, Avery J. Tucker and B. Thomas Cooksey, III, all of Vero Beach, and a number of nieces and nephews to whom he was known affectionately as Uncle Bud.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Elaine Wood.

A celebration of B.T.’s life will be held at Trinity Episcopal Church on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at 1pm.

A private interment will be held at Crestlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in B.T.’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.   Guest Book: Sign the guestbook  –  Read the guestbook http://www.strunkfuneralhome.com (2/6/14) 

PHILLIP WAYNE ROGERS born July 16, 1939 in New Albany, IN. He lived his life in Sellersburg, IN before retiring to Fort Pierce, FL in 1998. He died Sunday Feb 02 2014 and is survived by his wife Patricia, daughter Kristie (David) Sullivan, son Kirk (Laurie), mother Beaulah, his stepsons Jeff (Caren) Hendren, Jon (Kim) Hendren, Scott (Amanda) Hendren and 8 grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his father Thomas Wayne Rogers.

Phil enjoyed boating, horseback riding, and life on the water. His neighbors and friends considered him the locally appointed mayor of North St. Lucie Village, Fl. He also enjoyed Captaining his 32ft Nordic Tug but unfortunately he had to report to Patty, the Admiral. He was always more than happy to lend a helping hand to any friend with heavy equipment and a cold beer.

Memorial Services to be held at 11am on Friday, Feb 07, 2014 at Community Church of Vero Beach, Florida in the Chapel. 1901 23rd St., Vero Beach.

Services will also be held in Sellersburg, Indiana at Speed Memorial Church on Tues, Feb 11, 2014.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests any contributions be made to the American Heart Association.  http://www.lowtherfuneralhome.com  (2/6/14)

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