Reagan Cooksey
Reagan Cooksey is the Pastor at Northside Baptist Church where he began as a bi-vocational pastor in 1987 . He was hired full-time in 1993 , and has seen their membership grow from 31 members to a congregation of more than 2300 . He is also a licensed funeral director , and has officiated almost a thousand funerals in the last five decades .
“ I ’ ve always said I went from handling the physically dead to handling the spiritually dead ,” said Cooksey .
Cooksey was raised in Oakhurst with a brother and sister and moved to Huntsville with his family in 1968 . His father Walter had the most profound influence on his life , stressing the value of truth to him and his siblings . “ I learned how important it is to love people ,” said Cooksey . Cooksey graduated from Huntsville High School in 1973 and began working at the Huntsville Funeral Home . He then attended the Commonwealth College of Sciences in Houston , graduating in 1974 with his license as a funeral director . He worked at the funeral home on 15th street until 1977 and then went to pastor at Richards Baptist Church for the next six years .
He joined the youth ministry at Calvary Baptist Church while attending SHSU and went on to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Ft . Worth , where he completed his studies in 2000 . God called him into ministry in 1975 . This calling is what brought Cooksey to where he is today . The two strongest influences on his career as a pastor have been his father and the Lord .
“ The Holy Spirit of our living God has called me , secured me , and carried me all the days of my life ,” said Cooksey . His father was a pastor for 38 years , and was a living example of how to fulfill that role .
Changes that altered his life came through his immediate family , beginning with his wife Vicki . They first met in high school , and then again in February of 1974 . They married in November of that year . Cooksey had not been to a house of worship in some time , but his wife changed all that by taking him to church . Cooksey accepted Christ in December 1975 .
“ My wife and Jesus Christ have played a major role in changing and defining my life .
When my son Rodney was born , when he married Macey , and when our grandchildren Torey and Cane were born ; each one has played an ongoing role in shaping my life .” said Cooksey . His philosophy is to love God , his family , and other people .
“ The Bible says to love the Lord your God with all your heart , with all of your soul , and with all your strength . When you love God and people , it ’ s amazing how great life can be ,” said Cooksey
His workdays are anything but typical . He always makes a plan , but each day is different . He starts out with quiet time at home before going to his office at church . On any given day he might be in hospitals or nursing homes all over this part of Texas , visiting sick people . Cooksey is also the pastor people turn to when a loved one passes away .
“ Because I have had the privilege of being here all my life and knowing so many people , I have preached at 919 funerals over the last 47 years ,” said Cooksey .
In order to stay in tune and in touch with God and His Word , he
studies the Bible each and every day . Because he regularly fields questions from people concerning life matters , he has to be a good listener . Cooksey spends a lot of time having in-depth conversations with people who seek his counsel , both in person and over the phone .
“ Truth is important when I talk to people from the pulpit or the office or on the street . So I have to be truthful in all that I do . The problem with this is that truth is sometimes difficult to digest ,” said Cooksey . He says the part of his job he finds most challenging is trying to understand people and the choices they make .
“ People tend to throw all they have at things that destroy and upset their lives . I try to look at the long run and not the temporary . Life is a marathon , it ’ s not a hundred yard dash . We must be careful with life choices ,” said Cooksey
When he has time away from his sacred obligations , he enjoys hunting with his son . He has explored some exotic places on hunting trips , traveling to Argentina and Africa . He also looks forward to his annual trip with his wife to go jeeping in the San Juan Mountains of Southwestern Colorado .
“ Vic is my wife and best friend . We spend a lot of time together ,” said Cooksey .
He says he wouldn ’ t change anything about himself because God is in control . He uses the song “ Dear Younger Me ” by the contemporary Christian group Mercy Me as an example because it speaks to how life shapes who we are .
“ I would not change the poor decisions I have made for they shaped the person I have become . I am so happy with who I am and look forward to being better tomorrow than today with God ’ s help . I am having the time of my life with my life ,” said Cooksey .
Cooksey wouldn ’ t choose to live anywhere else if he could . He has lived here for nearly 68 years and would never want to leave Huntsville and East Texas .
“ This is home and there is no place like it ,” said Cooksey - Written by Kristie Stevens
HUNTSVILLE LIVING | DECEMBER 2022 | 15