Covy Jay Garcia

Covy carried a light that could brighten any room, and a presence that made others feel seen, safe, and loved. Growing up in a military family, Covy traveled the world and left pieces of his heart wherever he went. He had a way of connecting with people—young and old, strangers and friends alike. It didn’t matter who you were or where you came from, Covy made you feel like you mattered. His personality was magnetic—goofy, sweet, daring, and endlessly kind. That balance of gentle tenderness and playful mischief was something rare and unforgettable.

Even as a child, Covy seemed to understand something deep about life. At just 12 years old, when asked at dinner how he would describe our family theme, without a thought, Covy said:
“To help people know who they are and value themselves and others.”

*That simple sentence says so much about who Covy was. He had a heart that wanted to heal and uplift everyone around him. But not everyone knew how to return that same kindness. Covy’s gentle spirit was sometimes met with misunderstanding or rejection. He carried more than his share of pain—pain that eventually became too heavy for even his strong, courageous heart to carry.

In the last year of his life, Covy found deep comfort in his faith. He loved the Lord fiercely, and he didn’t keep that love to himself. He talked about God constantly, not out of duty but from pure passion. His faith gave him something to hold onto—a sense of purpose and connection he longed to share with others.

Covy had a wide-open love for nature and adventure. He spent countless hours outdoors, collecting bugs, catching snakes, and exploring rivers and forests. His childhood discoveries—like his first “rolly polly”—were treated like precious treasure. He loved fishing with his dad, chasing snakes through the brush, and dreaming up his next wild adventure. His goals just a few weeks ago were simple and pure: catch a bull snake, find a rattler, go fishing with Dad, spend more time with Mom and Dad… He cherished those things—his family, the outdoors, the quiet joys of life.

He lived in so many places—Washington, Missouri, Hawaii, Alaska, Florida—and everywhere he went, he made friends. People who saw his value and loved him for exactly who he was. After graduating from North Pole High School in 2019, Covy completed a welding program in Florida, worked commercial fishing, and then returned home, living with us for the past two years. Whether it was chasing sheep, hauling feed, fixing things with Dad, or just disappearing for hours to find a new fishing spot—Covy was always doing life his way, with so much heart.

To say he will be missed is an unbearable understatement. Covy’s laugh could light up a room, causing you to forget your rough day. His spirit was infectious—sweet, goofy, brave, and full of life. Our hearts are shattered by this loss. His mom and dad, Michael and Sara, his sister Caitlyn, and all who loved him, will never be the same. We are forever grateful to have known him, to have loved him, and to have been loved by him.

If you knew Covy Jay, you knew love. You knew laughter. You knew adventure.
If you didn’t know Covy, we are deeply saddened by this thought.
The world was lucky to have him.
And we were the luckiest of all.

Rest in peace, sweet boy. You are forever ours.

Covy’s love extended even beyond this life—his final gift was to donate his heart and organs to others in need. That was Covy… always giving, always thinking of others.

He leaves behind a large and loving family who adore him:
His parents and older sister, Michael, Sara, and Caitlyn Garcia. His grandparents, Gary and Judy Brogdon; David and Barbara Garcia; and Carol Garcia.
His aunts, uncles and cousins: Sam and Jordan Bertagnolli, Casey and Starla Brogdon and their girls Autumn and Ava; Troy Garcia; Jade and Ellie Garcia and their children David and Adella.

COVY written by Papa Gary

What are these words I’m hearing? They make no sense to me

Covy’s hurt, he won’t survive. This simply cannot be

I bury my head, a silent scream

Please God, Dear Jesus, please wake us from this dream

This can’t be real, he can’t be gone

His life can’t be over, it had just begun

What of the memories, he’s yet to make?

Or all the adventures, he’s yet to take?

What of the fishing, he hasn’t done?

Or the hunting, or the camping, or just having fun?

What of the baby robins, he hasn’t yet fed?

Or the snakes to catch, to watch them shed?

What of the bugs, he was too gentle to harm?

Or just one more evening, of life on the farm?

What of the cars he wanted to rebuild?

Or the dreams he had, never fulfilled?

What of the wild oats, he hasn’t yet sown?

Or a family to raise, to call his own?

What of the wife, he’s yet to marry?

Or of their children, she’ll never carry?

There’ll be no career, no house, no toys

No cats or dogs, no little girls or boys

Are you telling me, that’s all there is?

What of life’s treasures, that could have been his?

I know it’s selfish, but I want more

To see in his life, what God had in store

Twenty two years just wasn’t enough

When asked, we say, yeah, it’s been rough

We say we’ll go on, but inside we’re dying

A memory makes us laugh, a second later we’re crying

But what we really want, God, is just one more day

If just one more, Jesus, would it all go away?

Maybe we’d say, the right word, one we never thought of

Or think of a better way, to show him our love

What did we do, that we could have done better?

What if I’d called, or wrote him that letter?

Of course we know, that’s not how it’s done

But we can’t help but ask: did we fail you, son?

Was it just a word, that we forgot to say?

Or a million too many, that got in the way?

Was it something he showed us, we just couldn’t see?

Was I too busy to listen? Dear God, please forgive me

Everyday is torture, a thousand times we cry

Asking over, and over, and over: why, God, why?

What would have been his future? Now we’ll never know

Or the man he’d become, given the chance to grow

Yes we’ll go on, the choice not ours to make

We’ll laugh, we’ll smile, we’ll live. We’ll do it for Covy’s sake

But the sky will never be as blue, or the sun quite so bright

At least not for me, not since that awful, awful night

The memories we’ll share, thru joy and tears

We’ll cherish every second, every minute, every year

Don’t let a single memory, ever fade away

Keep them fresh in our minds, every single day

Covy’s gifts were many, his last, the best one yet

He gave the gift of life, to strangers he’d never met

His eyes still see, his heart beats too

It wasn’t even a question, It’s what he’d want to do

He gave of himself, so others can benefit

His one last chance, to really “send it”

Now we say goodbye son. Or rather, see you soon

We love you Covy, with all our hearts, we love you to the moon