In Memoriam: J. Bryan Cooksey, Jr.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - J. Bryan Cooksey, Jr., longtime owner of McCall Service (now led by his sons), passed away on Oct. 27. He was 88.

After a stint in the U.S. Army (1953-1955), Cooksey enrolled at the University of Florida, where he would graduate with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree in 1956 and a masters of agriculture in 1958 (Entomology and Agronomy). 

He started his career as an assistant county agriculture agent in Escambia County, Fla.  He was next hired as a branch manager for a railroad contractor in Jacksonville.  He left that job and opened his first pest control business in Jacksonville Beach. He built a nice little business, but with three kids and one on the way he needed more cash flow and sold it to Terminix International, joining them as a branch manager in Jacksonville.  He quickly rose through the ranks and become their training director and trouble shooter based out of Memphis. 

He then joined McCall Service, which only sold heating oil at the time, to start their pest control business.  He quickly grew the pest control operation and was promoted to president of the entire company.  In the late 1980s he was able to buy the business outright and it prospered. 

His sons bought the business from him and continue to own and operate it today as they expand it through Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.  The company ranked #48 on the most recent PCT Top 100 list.

Bryan is survived his wife of 62 Years, Jane Williams Cooksey and children Beverly Mulholland(Sean), Bryan Cooksey III(Teresa), Catherine Patton(Patrick), David Cooksey(Nicole) and John Cooksey(Leyda). Together, Bryan and Jane also cared for several foster children until they could be reunited with their families.He has 16 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

In Lieu of flowers please make a donation to The Alzheimer’s Association (www.act.alz.org) , The Jacksonville School for Autism (www.Jsakids.org) or Helping India Together (www.helpingindiatogether.org) or (J. Bryan Cooksey Memorial Fund).