Commander Benjamin Bryan Covington, USN, Retired 
Benjamin Bryan Covington died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease on April 11, 2015 in Austin, TX. He was 62.

Bryan was born in Albany, Georgia on April 3, 1953, to loving parents Benjamin Bouie Covington, Jr. and Marjorie Elizabeth Hannum Covington. He was the eldest of five children. Bryan spent his early years in Florida, where he acquired his love of oranges, the ocean, and where an uncle, who was a Blue Angels pilot, first inspired him to consider a military career. He loved the outdoors and Boy Scouting and eventually became an Eagle Scout.

Bryan graduated from McCallum High School in 1971 (National Honors Society), and received an appointment by Congressman J.J. Pickle to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated the Academy in 1975 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics (Oceanography). One summer evening during his Academy years, on a visit home to Austin, he was introduced (by his mother and hers) to a fellow McCallum graduate, Catherine Ann Dougal. Bryan and Cathy began corresponding and visiting, and he proposed to her on the steps of the UT Tower. They were wed on December 27, 1975. From this marriage came 39 years of faithful companionship, two children and seven grandchildren.

After his graduation and marriage, Bryan embarked on a 23-year naval career, during which he served as the Sonar Officer of USS FRANCIS SCOTT KEY (SSBN 657) (GOLD), completed Nuclear Power Training, was Lieutenant (J.G.) on USS NATHAN HALE (SSBN 623) (GOLD) for six patrols, and was a division officer. In 1980, he joined the NROTC as an assistant professor at Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute, and where he completed a Master of Science in Environmental Engineering in 1982. He also attended Advanced Submarine Poseidon Navigation System training. In 1983, Bryan reported to USS WILL ROGERS (SSBN 659) (Blue) as Operations and Navigation Officer. He also served simultaneously on SSN BALTIMORE. Bryan completed a tour as the Senior Watch Officer at Operations Control Center of Commander, Submarine Forces Atlantic (COMSUBLANT) in Norfolk, Virginia from 1986-1988. He served as Executive Officer on USS GLENARD P. LIPSCOMB (SSN 685) from 1988 until she was decommissioned in 1990. He then reported to Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) as the Senior Test Director for Submarine Combat Systems. From 1992-1993, Bryan served as the Officer in Charge at the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Detachment, Andros Island, Bahamas. Next, he was Chief Staff Officer at Submarine Squadron Eight in Norfolk, Virginia from 1993-1995. His final Navy duty was as Executive Officer of the NROTC Unit at the University of Oklahoma in Norman, where he was an associate professor. Commander Covington retired from military service on November 19, 1998. During his service, he was authorized to wear the National Defense Service Medal with Gold Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two Gold Stars, the Navy Commendation Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Navy Achievement Medal with Gold Star.

Following his military retirement, Bryan completed an additional Masters of Science in Construction Management from the University of Oklahoma in 1999, and began a career in the construction industry. He worked as a project manager with the commercial construction company, Lippert Brothers, Inc. of Oklahoma City. A notable project he co-managed was the Oklahoma City National Memorial at the former location of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. He later also worked as a project manager for Harrison-Orr Air Conditioning, LLC (Oklahoma City) before retiring in 2007.

Bryan's love of the water extended well outside his professional life. He enjoyed sailing expeditions on his Catalina 22 sailboat, slipping through rivers by canoe and exploring undersea worlds in SCUBA gear. On shore, his interest in wilderness survival, tracking, stargazing, bicycling, hiking and camping was passed on to his children and grandchildren. Near the end of his Navy career, his family realized a dream: building a home on a small Oklahoma farm where Bryan raised cattle, harvested honey, and tinkered on an ancient orange Allis-Chalmers tractor. Bryan loved old country and bluegrass music, and played his favorite harmonica as a means of expression long after he lost other communication abilities.

Bryan was a man of honest faith. He was involved with local churches and ministries throughout his life, from Officer Christian Fellowship, to men's prayer breakfasts and evangelism activities. He and Cathy helped with children's and youth ministries and he served as church treasurer in one congregation. He cared about the men he worked with and was concerned for their physical, professional, and spiritual well-being. But perhaps the greatest example of Bryan's faith is the courage with which he faced long years with Alzheimer's. Bryan believed that God is good despite suffering; he not only took joy in the midst of it, but he also shared that joy with those around him. His anchor of hope was that Jesus Christ came to make all things new.

Bryan gave his family the great and lasting gift of knowing he deeply loved them. He is survived by his wife Catherine Dougal Covington; daughter, Elizabeth Covington Crawford, and her husband Taylor Crawford (Missoula, Montana); son, Benjamin Bradley Covington, and his wife Nicole Lasich Covington (Moscow, Idaho); grandchildren, Miles, Jasper, Silas and Elsa Crawford (Missoula, Montana) and Baxter, Quinn and Alivia Covington (Moscow, Idaho); mother, Marjorie Elizabeth Covington (Austin, Texas); brothers Richard Covington (Lewisville, Texas), Frank Covington (Austin, Texas), Kenneth Covington (Houston, Texas) and sister Marjorie Waley (Austin, Texas). He was preceded in death by his father, Benjamin Bouie Covington (Austin, Texas).

A memorial service will be held at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Austin, Texas at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 15, 2015. Military honors will be provided. Interment will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the deacon's fund at Redeemer Presbyterian Church (2111 Alexander Avenue, Austin TX 78722).