J.D. Covington, 85

On March 18, 2014, our beloved husband, father, grandfather and former Richland Bomber head football coach J.D. Covington “went to walk beside his Lord” after a valiant and courageous struggle against an unforgiving rare, brain disease, CBD.

In 1928, J.D. was born to Don and Edna Covington in the small, west Texas town of Borger. The first son and second of five children, J.D. went on to play football on a scholarship for West Texas State, where he also met his future bride, Frances Benson. They married in 1950. J.D. and his teammates won the Sun Bowl in 1951.

Following graduation from WT, he accepted his first job teaching math at Borger Junior High. At the end of his first year, he was called into active duty during the Korean War where he served as an officer in the U.S. Navy for three years before being honorably discharged with the rank of lieutenant, j.g.

J.D. returned to WT to earn his master’s degree and took his second teaching job in Dimmit, Texas. He was a teacher and coach — a well-respected man who, throughout his career, called his players to be better than they ever imagined they could be. He had been inducted into Richland High School Hall of Fame, the Washington State Football Coaches Hall of Fame and Central Washington State Coaches Hall of Fame. He was named Big Nine “Coach of the Year” on three different occasions.

They moved to the Tri-Cities in 1968, when J.D. accepted a teaching and coaching position at Richland High School and Frances a teaching position at rival Pasco High. “Coach,” as all his players called him, guided the Bombers to a state championship, King Bowl V, in 1981. He retired from coaching in 1987, and from teaching in 1992. Following their retirement, he and Frances made their home in Montana on Flathead Lake, where they enjoyed year-round their life on the cherry orchard they purchased in 1960.

A man of integrity, courage and truth, he was the spiritual leader of his family. He loved the Lord and lived a beautiful life. Together he and Frances raised five children, Deborah and Mitch Madison, Sandra and John Morgan, Joe and Debbie Covington, Jennifer and Chris Varnell, and Jay and Jackie Covington; 11 grandchildren, Ana and Chris Morgan, Courtney and Brent Stenson, Kurt and Jessica Morgan, Jessica and Jake Higley, Jordan and Jill Madison, Jared and Katelyn Covington, and Jade and Jake Covington, and Kenny, Christina and Kevin Varnell; and nine great-grandchildren, Kaleb, Kyla, Kenny, Elli, Alaina, Emme, Sawyer, Sydney and Abigail.

He is survived by the love of his life, Frances; his sisters, Donna Lee Scott, Murrel and Bill Denbow, and Fern and Wayne Edwards; and sister-in-law, Obie Covington.

He was preceded in death by his mother; father; brother, Bob Covington; and infant son, Teddy Bruce.

“For I am now ready to be offered and the time of my departure is at hand; I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4: 6-7a.

Viewing was held Friday at Mueller’s Greenlee Funeral Home in Pasco. Following a graveside service with military honors at 2 p.m. today, March 22, at City View Cemetery, a memorial service and reception will be held at Pasco’s Christian Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in J.D.’s honor to Tri-Cities Chaplaincy Hospice House, a blessing of compassion, courage and comfort in a time of heartache or Bomber Boosters at Richland High School.

The family invites you to sign their online guest book at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com.