Robert Jamison Covington

Robert Jamison Covington March 20, 1927/January 20, 2017. Robert got his wish and passed peacefully at home in his sleep. Known to friends and family as Bob, he was born in Charlotte to the late Henry Walter Covington and Bessie Jamison Covington. A lifelong Charlottean, he was raised in Dilworth and lived 77 of his 89 years on Garden Terrace. Bob attended Charlotte public schools including Central High where he excelled at football.

In 1945 he joined the US Army and served in General Patton's third army headquarters during the occupation of Germany. These were his glory days that shaped him for the rest of his life. After returning home he took flying instructions with his G.I. Bill and piloted many Waco biplanes. Aviation was always a lifelong interest.

Robert entered technical school and soon opened his own television repair shop. In 1953 he met a “feisty” redhead, Aldonia Ransdell. They married in 1954 and had four children. They worked very hard to give them everything they needed and much of what they wanted. A devoted father, he helped them all he could with their activities and interests. If he was not helping build soapbox derby cars he was probably at one of their sporting events or taking them to numerous Charlotte Checkers hockey games as he was a season ticket holder from their inception.

In 1989 he retired from Queen City Television after 25 years of service. He and his wife enjoyed gardening, travel, and the arrival of their grandchildren. Now affectionately known as “Pop”, family continued to be the center of his life. During this time he also developed a new hobby of building and flying remote controlled airplanes and spent many enjoyable years with his friends in the Flying Aces Club.

After his wife passed in 2007, a return trip to where he was stationed in Germany during World War II was a highlight of his life. In recent years, he was blessed to be introduced to a special group of people that allowed him the opportunity to forge many friendships. He really enjoyed and cherished their Thursday night dinners. Robert was a wonderful, kind, and gentle man and he will be missed dearly.

Robert was preceded in death by his father, mother, wife, and brother, Henry Walter Covington Jr. He is survived by his sister Jane Myerly of Charlotte, NC; sons Dwight Covington (Margaret) of Greenville, SC; Barry Covington (Judy) of Waxhaw, NC; daughters Cynthia Covington (Pam) of Waxhaw, NC; Ann Hoerning (Thomas) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Matthew Covington (Susan) of Charlotte, NC; Patrick Covington (Louise) of Conway, SC; Andrew Covington of Greenville, SC; Laura Hoerning of Charlotte, NC; and great-grandchildren Gus and Annie Covington of Conway, SC.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at McEwen Funeral Service, 5716 Monroe Road, Charlotte beginning at 1:00 PM. A graveside service will follow at 2:00 PM at Sharon Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Charlotte Checkers Charitable Foundation at gocheckers.com/ccf in his name.