Randy Davey, an award-winning journalist who photographed countless Marines during a career spanning four decades, died Monday in Jacksonville, North Carolina, from complications related to diabetes.

He was 56.

Davey was a freelance photographer for Marine Corps Times, which operated a bureau in Jacksonville until 2010, and routinely accompanied reporters to Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station New River. His journalism career coincided with Marines' participation in the first Persian Gulf War and more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. He photographed combat heroes and senior commanders, dignitaries, celebrities and accused criminals, parades, training events and weapons demonstrations.

"So hard working," said Alan Lessig, a photographer and editor with the Military Times network, which includes Marine Corps Times. "The guy, when he went on assignment, carried a bag full of equipment just in case he needed it — six or seven lenses sometimes, no matter how hard it was for him to carry everything. And he always came back with a good photo. Definitely one of the best freelancers we've worked with."

Davey was employed full-time by The Daily News, Jacksonville's community newspaper, for which he also covered military affairs. Many of his images were published by media outlets worldwide via The Associated Press and Getty news services.

In a tribute posted Wednesday to The Daily News' website, friends and colleagues remembered Davey as a gifted, dedicated and fastidious journalist who loved being in the field and thrived under pressure. Davey was exceptionally focused, friends recalled, and on occasion that made him as salty as some of the Marines with whom he often interacted.

"So many of his photos are the result of hours of patience and planning," C. Mark Brinkley, Marine Corps Times' former editor and Jacksonville bureau reporter, told The Daily News. The two worked together at The Daily News during the 1990s. "Randy loved and appreciated the military, and he respected his part in helping to tell their story."

In a separate post on Facebook, Brinkley recalled his friend's love for hunting and how those skills meshed with Davey's approach to news photography.

"He would plot to be at an assignment long before it was time to arrive, so that he could get his spot," Brinkley wrote. "He would wait, patiently, until the right time. If a lawyer tried to walk a client into the courtroom early to avoid the cameras, that lawyer would find that Randy had already snapped a dozen pics before the lawyer even saw him. Bang."

Randy comes prepared for trial at Camp lejeune, 01/07/08. Long lenses, camera bag full of treats, laptop and folding chair.

Randy Davey, seen here outside a courtroom at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina in January 2008.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Daily News of Jacksonville, N.C.

Andrew deGrandpre, Marine Corps Times' editor from 2009 to 2014, echoed those sentiments. He and Davey also first worked together in Jacksonville, which deGrandpre called a "proving ground" for young journalists because of the high standards embraced by staffers such as Davey.

"Randy must have photographed thousands of Marines over his career," deGrandpre said. "The work he did had national and international significance. He documented the big dog-and-pony shows eceptionally well — award ceremonies, VIP visits to Camp Lejeune. But I've always thought some of his most poignant work emerged from deployments and homecomings. Families being separated and reunited. No one captured the emotion of those moments better than Randy Davey."

Davey is survived by his wife, Deanna, daughter, Amanda Davey Velasquez, and grandson, Mason.

Randy Davey, seen here on assignment with actor Roger Willie, who was in Jacksonville to promote his 2002 film "Windtalkers"

Photo Credit: Courtesy of The Daily News of Jacksonville, North Carolina

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