ElRoy "Roy" Covington Obituary (1943

ElRoy “Roy” Covington returned home to the Savior he loved and faithfully served throughout his life on Sunday, May 10, 2026, at the age of 82. ElRoy was born in Cedar City, Utah, on August 19, 1943, to loving parents DuRell Garth Covington and Marzell Leany Covington. After his birth, his family spent a few short years in Las Vegas before returning home to Hurricane, Utah, where ElRoy would spend most of his life. He was the middle child of five children and dearly loved his siblings and the close-knit family they shared. After graduating from Hurricane High School with the class of 1961, ElRoy attended the College of Southern Utah in Cedar City. In September 1962, he accepted a call to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central Atlantic States Mission. Although the mission covered several states, he spent most of his time serving in North Carolina. ElRoy loved his missionary service and often reflected on the experiences and testimony he gained through faithful and diligent work. His love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ became the foundation upon which he built the rest of his life. After returning home from his mission, ElRoy enrolled at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. Due to an unexpected registration error that left him classified as a part-time student, his Selective Service status changed, and he was drafted into the United States Army in September 1965 during the height of the Vietnam War. He completed basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, trained as a medical lab specialist at Fitzsimons General Army Hospital in Colorado, and honorably served the remainder of his military service at Kimbrough Army Hospital at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland. Following his military service, ElRoy returned to Utah to continue his education and begin building the life he dreamed of. On July 30, 1968, he married Kerren Bradshaw in the St. George LDS Temple. With the support of Kerren, ElRoy returned to school in Cedar City and completed his degree in elementary education before moving to Snowflake, Arizona, where he accepted his first teaching position. Though ElRoy and Kerren loved the people of Snowflake, Southern Utah always felt like home. They returned to Hurricane, where ElRoy was blessed with the opportunity to teach at Hurricane Elementary School. Mr. Covington, as he would then be known, spent the majority of his 40-year career teaching fourth and fifth grade. Teaching was never simply a profession to ElRoy—it was a calling. He loved teaching. He reluctantly joined the ranks of the retired after four decades of doing work he truly loved. While in Hurricane, ElRoy and Kerren were blessed with four children: Meika, Royce, Benjamin, and Collin. ElRoy considered his family his greatest blessing and accomplishment, often saying that nothing else even came close. He was endlessly proud of his children and grandchildren and found joy in every phone call, visit, game night, and life update they shared with him. In February 1990, Kerren unexpectedly passed away, leaving ElRoy heartbroken and suddenly navigating life as a widowed father to four young children. But he persevered, as did his children. ElRoy later married Linda Lou Linford. Linda had five children of her own: Sheila, Sherise, Stacha, Shay, and Shawn. ElRoy was kind and loving to Linda’s children. Linda passed away in March 2020. After several years living alone in La Verkin, ElRoy made the decision to move closer to his sons and their families in Northern Utah. With some encouragement, he moved to Legacy Retirement Center in South Jordan in May 2024. Though he initially made the move reluctantly, it became a sweet and meaningful chapter in his life. His warmth and friendliness quickly drew people to him, and he formed many treasured friendships with residents and staff. His social side flourished there, and he often expressed sincere gratitude for the kindness, companionship, and joy he found at Legacy. ElRoy was a lifelong and faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved the Savior deeply and sought throughout his life to follow His example. He served faithfully in many callings, including multiple High Councils, Elders Quorum President, High Priest Group Leader, Sunday School Presidency member, Gospel Doctrine teacher, and Bishopric counselor. Yet the calling he loved most was serving in the nursery. ElRoy’s testimony of Jesus Christ was steady, sincere, and abiding. At the time of his passing, he had four grandsons serving full-time missions, something that brought him immense joy and pride. ElRoy was gentle, thoughtful, and attentive to the people he loved. His grandchildren knew they could count on Grandpa to remember what was happening in their lives and knew he genuinely cared. He never forgot a birthday and faithfully sent cards—usually with a little money tucked inside. Some of the family’s favorite memories were made gathered around the table playing card games with him, chatting and enjoying the simple happiness of being together. ElRoy loved spending time at the ranch, camping, fishing, riding three-wheelers (ATVs), and watching football and basketball. He especially loved cheering on BYU and Utah State athletics, though after moving to Northern Utah, he would jokingly admit that being surrounded by so many passionate BYU fans softened his enthusiasm just a little. More than anything, ElRoy loved to visit and talk with his children, grandchildren, and dear friends. Those relationships meant everything to him and brought him his greatest happiness. People felt loved, valued, and at ease in ElRoy’s presence, and his steady kindness left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him. ElRoy was preceded in death by his parents, DuRell Garth Covington and Marzell Leany Covington; his brothers, DuRell Garth Covington, Jr. and Kerry David Covington; his sister, Geneal Palmer; and his spouses, Kerren Bradshaw Covington and Linda Linford Covington. He is survived by his children: Meika (Tony) Pectol of Hurricane, Utah; Royce (Amy) of Draper, Utah; Benjamin (Breezy) of Sandy, Utah; and Collin (Michon) of Providence, Utah; his 14 grandchildren: Nicholas, Preston, Aubree, Kaleb, Braden, Greyson, Creed, Addilyn, Ashlyn, Savanna, Tanner, Ethan, Blair, and Audrey; his sister, Leota (Kelly) Kleinman; as well as many beloved step-children, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and dear friends. Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 70 South 300 West, La Verkin, Utah 84745. A viewing will be held at the same location on Sunday, May 17, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., and prior to services on Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Interment will follow at the Hurricane Cemetery. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom.us/j/98539449145?pwd=alB2Ync4VGlrVFFzelFCV2w4MW1VZz09 Webinar ID: 985 3944 9145 Passcode: 531906