James Harvey Covington

James Harvey Covington, 87, of 401 W. Seminole Boulevard, Sanford, Florida, passed from this life on Sunday, November 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. Born in Deland, Florida on May 8, 1928, he lived in Deland and in Florence, South Carolina before becoming a Sanford resident in 1951. His mother never liked to see her son sitting idle for long, so Harvey, as he was called, was encouraged throughout his youth to get a job, holding a variety of them: newspaper delivery, bakery work, and lifeguarding, to name a few. Following his graduation from Florence High School, he worked as a clerk for the U.S. Post Office in Florence and then joined the United States Navy in 1947, serving aboard the U.S.S. Curtiss AV-4. He received medals from the U.S. Navy for Good Conduct, Navy Occupation, and Korean Service and was honorably discharged as a boatswain’s mate 3rd class in 1951. He then joined his family, who had moved to Sanford, and began working for the Sanford Fire Department. It was while working as a firefighter that he met his future wife and love of his life, Esther Armillda Mims, who was also working in downtown Sanford just a few doors away at Wilson-Maier Furniture. They married on October 20, 1953. Harvey soon went to work again for the United States Postal Service, retiring in 1985 with the position of postmaster at the Sanford branch. As a member of the Sanford Church of Christ, Harvey served as a deacon, treasurer, Bible school teacher, and elder. He also performed other services such as song leading, public prayer, and preaching, often helping other small area congregations when they needed someone to serve and participating in a mission trip to Jamaica. Knowing the importance of learning God’s word, he read his Bible daily, reading cover to cover each year. A master gardener, classical music aficionado, avid reader, and aquarium enthusiast, he also learned in his retirement to bake and cook wonderful dishes. His clam chowder was a family favorite. He spent many years sharing his love of music, orchids, and tropical fish with school children in Seminole County Public Schools as a visiting class speaker. He and his wife also enjoyed taking care of grandbabies and friends’ babies while the parents worked. James Harvey Covington is survived by his wife of 62 years, Esther Armillda, and 6 children: Laura Lynn Cullum (John), Catherine Ann Lindwall (Hank), James Harvey Covington, Jr. (Denise), Robert Scott Covington (Valerie), Dana Louise Covington, and Caryn Elaine Dominessy (David). He was so proud of his 18 grandchildren: Lisa Canavan, Christine Watts, John Cullum III, Courtney Lindwall, Rachel Lindwall, Michael Covington, David Covington, Nathan Covington, Spencer Covington, Timothy Covington, Caitlin Covington, William Covington, Jared Covington, Heather Covington, Kyle Evans, Payton Evans, Shannon Dominessy, and Christopher Dominessy. Also missing him are 9 great-grandchildren: Reilly Canavan, Rowan Canavan, Reece Canavan, Rex Canavan, Evan Watts, Ava Watts, Ella Watts, Anna Watts, and Ewan Cullum. Many nieces and nephews mourn his loss. Still calling him “Granddaddy” are two of the babies he cared for, now adults: Preston Scott and Clayton Scott. Harvey is predeceased by his parents Euclid and Maude Covington, brother Gerald Covington, and sister Della Covington Buro. A funeral service with military honors is scheduled for Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Sanford Church of Christ, 1500 Park Avenue, Sanford, Florida. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, and the service will begin at 11:00 am. No graveside service will take place. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may send them to Christian Relief Fund, Box 19670, Amarillo, Texas 79114-1670. (christianrelieffund.org)