Leniar Covey

Leniar Chester Covey, son of Sherman Gilbert and Vernie Barney Covey, was born on May 17, 1919 in the Chance community, west of Watts, Oklahoma and went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 19, 2013 in West Siloam Springs, Oklahoma at the age of 94 years, 5 months and 2 days.

Lee reported to Military induction on March 16, 1941 and was transported to Fort Polk, Louisiana for basic training. He arrived overseas on April 6, 1944 aboard the Queen Elizabeth and became Tank Commander Sergeant in Company A, 748th Tank Battalion, General Pattons Third Army. His tank was hit by enemy fire in France and he later received the Bronze Star from General Patton for helping his tank crew escape. He was discharged at Ft. Chaffee, AR on September 27, 1945 and returned home to help with the family farm.

Lee met the love of his life, Joyce Nickens, in Watts, OK and they were married on March 4, 1948 and have enjoyed 65 years of marriage and happiness together.

After a short time, they moved to Tulsa where he worked for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company as a warehouse parts clerk for 25 years. While in Tulsa, Lee and Joyce had 3 children. Upon the death of his father in 1971, Lee and Joyce moved to Westville, where he worked for Baldor Electric until his retirement in 1978. They bought a larger farm in Stilwell where they have resided since. He loved raising cattle and gardening, as well as fishing and traveling. They enjoyed going to McAllen, Texas during the winter months and going to the lake during the summers. Lee enjoyed having large fish frys for family and friends, as well as catching the fish. He also enjoyed growing a garden every year and sharing the produce with everyone.

Lee cherished time spent with his children and grandchildren and always had a war story or fish story to share. He was also very handy at fixing things and saved bits and pieces of everything to use in his repairs. In later years he became known as Gramps to his family. He was faithful to Church even in the army and remained faithful until his health declined in recent years, then he watched Church services on TV.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Melvin and Wesley and sister: Bertha Burlow and an infant daughter.

Lee is survived by his wife: Joyce, sons: Daryl Covey and wife Brandi of Lexington, OK and Victor Covey and wife Donna of Westville, OK, grandsons: Mike McConnell of Prairie Grove, AR, Steven Covey and wife Jennifer of Houston, TX, David Covey of Norman, OK and Michael Covey of Lexington, OK, great granddaughters: Katharine McConnell and Karaline McConnell of Prairie Grove, AR and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral services were held at 10 am on Thursday, October 24, 2013 at RobertsReedCulver Chapel with Bro. Doug Davis officiating. Interment followed at Ft. Gibson National Cemetery, Ft. Gibson, OK.