Hal J Covington Obituary (1930 - 2012)

“Grandpa”Our loving husband, father and grandfather, Hal J Covington, 82, returned to his Heavenly Father on March 29, 2012 surrounded by his posterity.Hal was born January 26, 1930 in Richfield, Utah to Junius Gilbert and Florence A. Pectol Covington, the sixth of nine children. Hal grew up in Wayne County, Utah with lots of time to dream, explore, wander and get into trouble. His stories about his childhood are legend in his family.Hal graduated from Wayne County High School and joined the Navy where he served during the Korean War. He met Helen Giolas in July of 1950, and they were married on May 19, 1951. They had two children, David and Linda. Hal was a member of many local service organizations including the Lions Club and the Boy Scouts of America, and was presented with The Silver Beaver Award in 1981. He loved the outdoors and was president of the Skyline Jeep Club.Hal ran his own successful business, but his family was his greatest accomplishment. They spent many hours at the family cabin he built in the Uinta Mountains, and in Torrey, Utah hiking, fishing, laughing, joking and going on adventures. Hal loved to document all of life’s moments through photography and writing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was very important to Hal and he and Helen were happily sealed in the Jordan River Temple in May 1991.Hal was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Jack Portman, Junius Blaine (Gretchen) and Joe Talmage (Charlotte); and his sisters, Florence LaBabe Rentz (Tom) and Betty Dee Cordes (Bill). He was also welcomed into heaven by his granddaughter, Whitney Kae Covington. He is survived by his dear wife, Helen; his brothers, Ted (Celeste) and Gene (Akiko); his sister, Bunny Talbot (Dale); his children, David (Kae) and Linda; his grandchildren, Kelsey (Brigham), Jared (Rose), Joshua (Joslyn), Zachary (Paula), Alexander (Heidi) and Jessica Wickert (William); 17 great-grandchildren; and a very lonely dog, Ginger.Many, many thanks to the wonderful doctors and nurses at the VA Hospital for their compassionate and respectful care. ‘Til we meet again…Funeral services will be Monday, April 2, 2012 at 12:00 Noon at the Lincoln Heights Ward, 601 East Mansfield Avenue (3115 South). Viewings will be held Sunday evening from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 4760 South State Street, and Monday from 11:00-11:45 a.m. at the church prior to the funeral services. Interment: Elysian Burial Gardens, 1075 E. 4580 S., Salt Lake City.