Born –       July 6, 1949 in Millen, Jenkins County, Georgia

Parents –  Marvin Graham & Sarah (Davis) Coursey (both deceased)

Married –  Deborah (Debbie) Jean (Maggard) Coursey

Children – 3 sons, Roger David, Christopher Glen and Benjamin Joseph Coursey and 1 daughter, Kimberly Denise (Coursey) Arnsdorff (9 grandchildren) – also 4 step children, Kim, Angie, Brandie and Charity

Education – Graduated as Valedictorian from Robert W. Groves HS, Garden City, GA (Jun 1967); graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT with Honors in Jun 1971 earning a Bachelor of Science in Engineering and commissioned as an Ensign in the US Coast Guard; earned his “Wings of Gold” as a Naval Aviator from the Naval Training Command in Milton, FL in Aug 1973; graduated from the University of West Florida having earned a Masters in Business Administration (1980)

Professional

27 years in the US Coast Guard serving in numerous ships and qualified as both a helicopter and fixed wing aviator. Deployed to both the Arctic and Antarctic flying from the back of Coast Guard Icebreakers. While serving on exchange duty with the Navy as a flight instructor, was picked by the Navy over a number of Navy Lieutenant Commanders and Marine Majors to be the Operations Officer of the Training Squadron. Was selected to command Coast Guard Air Station Houston, Texas from 1991-1993. Retired as a Captain (O-6) while serving as the Chief of Search and Rescue for the 5th Coast Guard District covering the Mid-Atlantic states from New Jersey to South Carolina.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, was the Senior Naval Science Instructor of several high schools. Started the NJROTC unit at South Effingham High School. Led the unit to becoming the “Most Improved NJROTC Unit” in Area-6 in 2004.

Finished his professional career as a Probation Officer in Effingham County, Georgia.

Masonic

Entered Apprentice – Jun 1981 – Pace # 349, Pace, FL

Fellow Craft – Nov 1981 – Pace # 349, Pace FL

Raised Master Mason – Dec 19, 1981 – Pace # 349, Pace, FL

Worshipful Master Springfield # 440, Springfield, GA in 1998 – Perpetual Member

Current Worshipful Master Newington # 503. Newington, GA – Perpetual Member

Life Member Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Valley of Savannah, Orient of Georgia; joined Valley of New Bern, Orient of NC on 6 Nov 1993; Invested 32nd Degree KCCH (2009), Coronated 33rdDegree IGH (2017); Chairman Executive Committee (2017-2019); Venerable Master, Lodge of Perfection (2019); recognized as a Knight of the Double Eagle; serves on 3 degree teams; currently a Trustee for the Valley of Savannah as well as the Rite Care Foundation, and currently serving as the Assistant Personal Representative to the SGIG

Holds membership in the following Masonic appendant bodies: York Rite Bodies of Savannah; National Sojourners; Knights of the York Cross of Honor; Holy Royal Arch Knights Templar Priests; Herman E. Freeman York Rite College; Savannah Council #328 of the Allied Masonic Degrees; Oglethorpe Conclave of the Red Cross of Constantine; Commemorative Order of St Thomas of Acon; Royal Order of Scotland; Knight Masons; Masonic Order of Athelstan; Societas Rosicruciana In Civitatibus Foederatis; Tall Cedars of Lebanon; and Alee Temple Shrine