Mr. Jerry P. Covington, 78, of Rochester, passed away at 3:50 AM, Tuesday, April 4 , 2017 at his residence.  This followed a valiant battle with cancer.

On October 22 , 1938, in Quitman, Mississippi,  Jerry was born.  He was the treasured son of   Hubert and Clara Lou Burt Covington.  Growing up he shared his childhood with a brother Jimmy.

In Rochester, on October 20 , 1990, Jerry married the love of his life Linda Bailey.  They enjoyed over 26 years of life's adventures. Together they blended their family.   The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of two more generations.

Following high school, Jerry enlisted with the United States Navy.  He served our country for over two decades, many years as a Navy electrician.

Jerry was a faithful member of The Church of Christ, Manitou V.F.W. Post  #1343,  and the Leroy Shelton American Legion Post all of Rochester.  He worked at Kokomo's Chrysler Transmission Plant and was a local businessman and an entrepreneur.

Left to cherish Jerry's memory are his wife, Linda, at home;  five children: Melissa Steffan and husband Mike, Warsaw, Jacob Covington, Gunnar Covington, both of Rochester, Steven Bailey and wife Angela of Fishers, and Mark Bailey and wife Angi of Ft. Wayne;  numerous grandchildren, and  great-grandchildren; and his canine companion "Sparky."

Preceding Jerry in death are his parents, Hubert and Clara; two sons: Patrick in 1988, and Michael in 1998; and a brother, Jimmy Covington.

Memorials may be made to the family to purchase memorial trees for his children. Additional monies would be used to purchase trees for the park or to be donated to Wounded Warriors.

Private family services will be held in June 2017 .  Pastor Jimmy Dillinger will officiate.  Military rites will be accorded by the Fulton County Veteran's Honor Guard and the United States Navy Honors Team.    Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.