Born in Scranton on Oct. 3, 1980, he was the son of Thomas and Debra Lee Jacoby Kovall, Clarks Summit. He moved to Pittsburgh this past year and was attending the University of Pittsburgh studying psychology, moving from State College, where he had been a student. He was a 2000 graduate of Abington Heights High School, Clarks Summit. Active in his church, St. Michael's Orthodox Church, at an early age, he had served as an altar server. He was a Boy Scout with Troop 251, Clarks Green United Methodist Church.

A loving son and devoted brother, he enjoyed fishing. A free-spirited, fun-loving person, he enjoyed discussions and philosophy. Upon graduating high school, he developed a great sense of value for an education and devoted his time to become a learned person, reading and studying. He found a great sense of comfort and success in learning, and especially issues and topics related to one's health and mental being.

Also surviving are a sister, Julianne T. Graves, Pittsburgh; paternal grandfather, Russell Thomas Kovall, and paternal grandmother, Thelma Pappas Kovall; maternal grandmother, Dorothy Huggler Jacoby, and maternal grandfather, Howard Jacoby, all of Clarks Summit; aunts and uncles and cousins.