Antoine Cooksey

Antoine Cooksey: A Life of Purpose, Passion, and Service

Antoine Cooksey was born in the small city of Minden, Louisiana, where he was lovingly raised by his grandparents in a Christian home. Though his early years were marked by the warmth of family and faith, it was in Maryland—from the age of five through his young adulthood—where life began to shape and refine his character. The streets and communities of Maryland became both his classroom and training ground, preparing him for a path that would eventually lead to the Middle East—an unexpected journey of destiny, not for the faint of heart.

What prepared Antoine most was the steady presence of a devoted mother who never let him stray too far, and the guidance of coaches and mentors who earned his respect and trust. Antoine excelled as a natural athlete, competing in baseball, football, and wrestling. Wrestling, in particular, awakened the leader within him—teaching him the value of self-trust, discipline, and resilience. He was a fierce competitor with a compassionate heart, always more concerned about his opponent’s well-being than the win. For Antoine, academics were never an afterthought. He knew that success in sports depended on success in the classroom.

Antoine was a giver—unapologetically generous, selfless, and compassionate. Family and friendship were at the center of his life. He would quite literally give you the shirt off his back. He lived boldly and tried new things fearlessly, never needing the spotlight but often finding himself in it because of his character, not his ego. Today, that spotlight shines on his legacy.

Why the Marine Corps?

Upon graduating high school, Antoine was presented with three options: a job, college, or the military. He tried the first two with limited success, but a persistent call to serve eventually led him—after two visits to recruitment offices—to the United States Marine Corps. When asked, “Why the Marines?” his answer was simple: he wanted to be among the elite.

Antoine thrived in the Corps. He rose to Squad Leader and graduated as Honor Graduate from basic training. He found purpose in structure and leadership, dreaming of becoming a Drill Instructor and rising to Sergeant Major. While he may not have reached that military rank, in life he was just that—a leader in every sense of the word.

He served in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2010, including deployments to Kuwait and Iraq during wartime. He believed in the mission he was given and served his country with valor, eventually transitioning into a career as a Certified Network Engineer and defense contractor, continuing to support military efforts abroad. He faced danger with a fearless confidence, sometimes even having to be pulled back from the edge by loyal friends. To those who knew him, it often seemed like Antoine simply didn’t fear death.

A Man of Many Talents

Antoine was the definition of well-rounded. From skiing and snowboarding to ping pong, pool, and jump rope—he could do it all. He even taught himself to play the drums and loved karaoke (though dancing was never his strong suit—he gave it his best, just like his momma). A gamer, an avid reader, and a relentless researcher, he was a walking encyclopedia of “how-tos” and a natural problem-solver. Ask a question, and if he didn’t know the answer, he would find it. He was curious, determined, and hungry to learn.

An Adventurous Spirit

Antoine’s adventurous nature took him all over the world—to Dubai, Japan, and beyond. Though he didn’t always enjoy the process of preparing for travel, he never let that stop him from discovering new places and experiences. He lived to explore.

Scholar and Entrepreneur

Antoine pursued higher education at Virginia Wesleyan University and Strayer University. He was also a forward-thinking entrepreneur, launching a real estate business focused on house flipping and investments prior to his passing in 2020.

Antoine Cooksey lived fully, loved deeply, and served selflessly. He left behind a legacy of leadership, compassion, courage, and relentless perseverance. May his story remind us all to try, to give, and to never give up—until our very last breath.

To see more visit “The Antoine Cooksey Foundation Facebook” to see comments from family and friends across the nations.