James Earl Covington Jr.

Mr. James Earl Covington Jr. of Mebane died Thursday, January 21, 2016, at ARMC, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born August 28, 1941, the oldest son of James Earl Covington and Pauline Richmond Covington, both deceased. He is survived by his wife of nearly fifty years, Mary Jean Shaw Covington and his beloved daughters: Courtney Lynn Covington and Caroline Covington Massey (Greg), precious granddaughter Morgan Mae Covington, and step-grandsons Landon Massey (Kelly), Joel Massey (Dana), and Jason Massey. Other survivors include his sister, Margaret Covington Lancaster (Bob), and brothers Dewey Richmond Covington (Sally) and Joseph Murray Covington (Joyce). Special Survivors are Mother-in-Law Mae Edla Shaw and Uncle Ernest Richmond. Many nephews, nieces, cousins, and extended family are left to cherish his memory. After a few years of working at Jeffreys’ Texaco in Mebane as a teenager and at Central Motors in Burlington as service manager, Jimmy was chosen by the late Emmett King to help start and operate King Tire Service in Mebane. Later, Betty King sold the business to Jimmy and he proudly watched it grow into an integral part of the community for forty-four years. He was always grateful to Mr. and Mrs. King for the opportunity to have a career that he loved. He recently said the he did not plan to retire because he was having so much fun working and enjoying his employees and customers so much. A life-long member of Hawfields Presbyterian Church, he served as a Deacon, worked on many committees and was involved in various groups and activities. For the past several years he has been passionate about participating on the mission trips to West Virginia. He was known as the “tool man”. Jimmy was an avid collector of Texaco and International Harvester memorabilia and products. He and his friends traveled far and wide to search out special treasures. His fellow collectors were loyal and trusted friends. He was honored to be invited to serve on the Board of Directors of the Orange-Alamance Water System. He knew the importance of providing good water and service to people who needed it. Currently he was serving as Chairman of the Board. Traveling was an important part of Jimmy’s life. Whether it was a short trip to a tractor show or heading overseas for an adventure with Mary Go Round, he thoroughly enjoyed it all and felt that it enriched his life. He was proud of the fact that he was a member of the last senior class at Alexander Wilson High School. He remained close friends with many in the class and enjoyed their monthly breakfasts and summertime reunions. Jimmy always had interesting projects to work on. Restoring old gas pumps, tractors, cars, and antiques filled much of his spare time. He was famous for his home-made strawberry ice cream and his 14-day pickles. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Tuesday January 26, 2016 at the Hawfields Presbyterian Church with the Rev. David Ely and the Rev. Sam Jenkins officiating. Burial will follow in the Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 until 8 PM on Monday January 25, 2016 at the McClure Funeral Home in Mebane and other times at the residence of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Haw Fields Presbyterian Church at 2215 South NC 119, Mebane, NC 27302. Online condolences may be made at www.mcclurefuneralservice.net