Baylor Mourns Passing of Former Regent, Health Center Physician
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Contact: Lori Fogleman, (254) 710-6275
WACO, Texas (May 17, 2014) - Former Baylor University Regent and current Baylor Health Center physician Dr. Red Covington of Waco passed away May 14 in Waco after a brief illness. He was 75.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, May 20, at First Baptist Church of Waco. Visitation will be from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday, May 19, in the Garden Room at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd.
"Dr. Red Covington was passionate about Baylor and active in his support for the University he loved," said Baylor President Ken Starr. "As a local physician, he cared for countless students and student-athletes at Baylor. As a former Regent, he helped to secure the foundation upon which our great University now stands. We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to Sandra and daughters Julie and Jill and their families."
Dr. Covington earned a bachelor of arts degree from Baylor University in 1959 and a medical degree from Baylor College of Medicine in 1963. He served the Waco community with Waco Bone and Joint Clinic for nearly four decades and was team physician for the Baylor football team for many years.
"Red's leadership on the medical side played an integral role in the building of a winning football program at Baylor University," said former Baylor head football coach Grant Teaff. "He was an invaluable part of my team and one of my closest friends."
After 39 years as a partner at Waco Bone and Joint Clinic, Dr. Covington "retired" only to serve again for the last few years as the SLC Orthopedic Physician for Baylor Health Services.
"The thing I valued so much about Dr. Covington was the way he mentored students and would stay active in their lives, even after they left Baylor," said Martha Lou Scott, Ed.D., associate vice president for student life. "His continued involvement with the University and its students is what I think made him such a good Regent. He knew students, heart and soul. And as a physician, he could heal students physically, but the joy he radiated could mend so many other things."
Dr. Covington served as president of the medical staff at Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center in 1982, was a member of the Baylor Development Council and a 1992 recipient of the W.R. White Service Award from the Baylor Alumni Association. He served on the Baylor University Board of Regents from 1989 until 1998. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Waco where he served as the chairman of the board of deacons and taught Sunday School to young adults for more 20 years.
Dr. Covington was first and foremost a family man. His wife, daughters, son-in-law and granddaughters were certainly the light of his life. He loved Baylor University and held a very deep devotion to his Lady Bears.
Dr. Covington is survived by his wife, Sandra; his daughters, Julie Covington of Waco and Jill Underwood and husband, Paul, of Brownwood; granddaughters, Sarah and Meredith Underwood; brother, James O. (Spud) Covington; niece, Mary Jane Covington; and sister-in-law, Linda Clark and husband, Floyd.