Joe T. Covington

Sandy, Utah - Our beloved father, grandfather, brother and uncle, Joe Talmage Covington, age 83, died March 30, 2010 at his home in Sandy, Utah. He was born January 19, 1927 in Torrey, Wayne County, Utah, a son of Junius Gilbert and Florence “A” Pectol Covington. Joe T. Covington, a cowboy for life, began his apprenticeship as a young boy under his dad as a sheepherder, where he developed his lifelong love for horses and working dogs. Entering the Navy at age 17 during World War II, he was able to begin his exploration of the world. His Mother received his high school diploma while he was in the Pacific on an aircraft carrier. He was a rancher, hospital administrator and a financier. He became a pioneer in the cattle industry having worked on the first non-surgical embryo transplants. With the goal to improve cattle genetics, he crossed Swiss and other European cattle. Joe T. imported two cattle breeds to America, the Abondance from France and Romagnola from Italy. His work produced National Grand Champions in 6 different cattle breeds, as well as, numerous other honors. He served as President of International and National Livestock organizations, and worked for many years improving genetics in the cattle industry. Later in life he raised National Grand Champion Border Collies. He was known as a great horseman and a hard worker whose love of life lead him on many adventures throughout the world. He told a big story and many people didn’t realize they were true experiences from his own life. A sociable person, Joe T. was loved and admired by many: he developed friends wherever he went. There was always room and help for the many kids that visited his ranch. A wonderful father, who loved his children, adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints with a lifetime of service in many leadership positions. Joe T. married Betty Lou Jones, June 14, 1947 and later divorced. He married Mildred Merrill and she died and Charlotte Steward and she died. He is survived by his children: Joan Covington (Steve) Nielsen of Draper, UT, Joe Talmage Covington II of Round Mountain, CA, June Covington of Chico, CA, Dirk (Sandra) Correnti of Manti, UT; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; brothers and sister: Hal (Helen) Covington of Salt Lake City, UT, Ted (Celeste) Covington of Bountiful, UT, Gene (Akiko) Covington of Kapolei, HI; Dorothy (Dale) Talbot of Salt Lake City. He is preceded in death by his father, Junius Gilbert Covington, and his mother, Florence “A” Pectol Covington; his brothers Blaine (Gretchen) Covington, Jack Covington, and his sisters, LaBabe (Tom) Rentz, and Betty Dee (Bill) Cordes. Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 12 Noon in the Canyon Rim 1st and 2nd LDS Ward Chapel, 3100 East 3000 South in Salt Lake City where friends may call for viewing Saturday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 prior to the services. Burial with military honors accorded by the Harold Brown American Legion Post #92 and the Utah Honor Guard will be Monday, April 5, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. in the Loa Cemetery, Loa, Utah under the care of the Springer Turner Funeral Home of Richfield and Salina, Utah.