Lt. Col. Fred Lamar Covington, 79, passed away on Jan. 31. Lt. Col. Covington was a 20-year veteran of the United States' Air Force, serving as a Senior Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) and Systems' Management Engineer. During his military career he served in the Vietnam War from 1972 to 1973, where he completed 43 combat missions in the F-105 Wild Weasel, for a total of 128 combat flight hours.
Fred Covington was born on April 23, 1935 in Ariton, Ala. to John Dixon and Ethel Covington. Upon his graduation from Auburn University, in 1958, he was commissioned into the United States' Air Force as a 2nd Lieutenant, at Lackland Air Force Base, Tx., his first duty station.
A natural mathematician, scientist, and engineer he worked for 18 years as a science teacher in the Henry County School System after his military retirement. Since 1978 he was an active member at Rockdale Baptist Church where he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, and volunteer with the Bold Mission Builders.
Fred Covington was a life-long follower of Jesus Christ, as well as a distinguished and decorated military officer; in addition to being a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather. He married Dotti Covington in Montgomery, Ala. in 1958.
He is survived by his wife Dotti; daughter Amy; son Tim and daughter-in-law Jessica; son Tom and daughter-in-law Holly; son Andrew and daughter-in-law Mollie; seven grandchildren - Stephen, Rebekah, Drew, Townes, Joshua, Emma Grace, Emilie. He is also survived by his sister Sara Nell Young and his brother Robert Covington. He is preceded in death by his mother Ethel Covington and father John Dixon as well as his brother James Covington.
A celebration of life will take place at Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers on February 7, 2015 at 11 a.m., with visitation taking place from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The service will be officiated by the Rev. Tom Covington and the Rev. Andrew Covington. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to The National Parkinson's Foundation at gift processing center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741 or the Georgia Humane Society at 981 Howell Mill Road, NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30318.
