James A. Covell

LT. COL. USAF Retired, James A. Covell passed away peacefully on January 23, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife La Juan Covell and son Robert Covell. He is survived by three children: James J. Covell (wife Karen Covell), Mark Covell (wife Jana Covell), and Connie Grindatto (husband Jami Grindatto); seven grandchildren: Christopher Covell, Cameron Covell, Jacob Covell DPT (wife Maggie Covell DPT), Jennifer Jones (husband Brandon Jones DVM), Missie Kimball (husband Charles Kimball), Lucas Grindatto (wife Rachel Grindatto), and Joshua Grindatto (wife Lydia Grindatto); and three great-grandchildren: Morgan Kimball, Afton Kimball, and Hudson Grindatto. He is also survived by Lynda Tillman (née Lawson) (husband Terry Tillman), who he raised as a daughter.

Jim was born on December 13, 1932 in Fargo, ND to Clarence Covell and Marion Covell (née Lund). His doctor was superstitious and backdated his birth certificate to December 12th. He was a proud member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at the University of Washington. He was enrolled in Air Force ROTC at U of W and was commissioned a 2 Lt in the USAF upon graduation. He went to UPT in San Angelo TX at Goodfellow AFB where he met the love of his life, the former La Juan Lawson. He was absent for three months of their whirlwind romance, but he still proposed after only six months together. He went to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, AZ for advanced training and then returned to San Angelo, TX to marry La Juan on July 21, 1956. His first assignment was flying KB-29M tankers. He was a graduate of the USAF Command and Staff school.

He eventually left active duty and moved on to a long career in Economic Development. He was a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD). He worked for General Telephone in TX, Served in Governor Bruce King’s Administration in the NM State Economic Development Department, worked for the City of San Diego Economic Development Department, and headed up Albuquerque Industrial Development Service, just to name a few. One of his proudest achievements was helping to bring Intel Corporation to Rio Rancho.

As a member of the New Mexico National Guard, he was called back to active duty when the NM Air National Guard was called up and sent to Vietnam. The USAF had other ideas for him and sent him to Korea in support of the F 105Gs. He would eventually retire from the USAF Reserves after 31 years of combined active, reserve and NM National Guard duty.

Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman from his early youth. He also loved to collect things: coins, stamps, and antiques of all kinds. He was a member of the New Mexico Gun Collector’s Association.

A Memorial Service will be held at First Baptist Church Rio Rancho on February 24th, 2024 at 11 am. In Lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the The Gideons International.

gideons.org/donate