Dr. Frankie Lee Covington Jr.

Dr. Frank Lee Covington, 69, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 24, 2018. He was beloved and respected by his family, friends and colleagues for a life defined by deep intelligence, compassion and integrity. Born August 16, 1948 in Jackson, Mississippi he attended Millsaps College, majoring in pre-med/chemistry before starting the M.D., Ph.D. program at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He completed his M.D. in 1974 and the coursework for his Ph.D. in biochemistry, originally intending to do research, but decided to work as a medical doctor due to the Vietnam War. He received his Master’s in Business Administration in 2003 while working as a psychiatrist and medical director in Wyoming. Throughout his long, tireless career, he worked all over the US and once in Canada in many roles. One that he was most satisfied and proud of was his work as Special Advisor to the Minister of Health in Ontario, Canada, where he was responsible for developing rural healthcare delivery systems for the Province of Ontario, part of which entailed developing the trust of First Nation tribes in the province. One tribe allowed him to participate in a sweat lodge ceremony as a sign of respect for his work and outreach to them.

Dr. Covington worked as both a medical director and psychiatrist in Mississippi, Louisiana, Idaho, Washington, Wyoming, New Mexico and in Indianapolis. He worked for Community Health Network since 2004, where he was the medical director for behavioral health services and Director, Board of Directors, CPN. He was instrumental in the formation of Community Physician Network, served as its second Chairman of the Board and was considered a visionary leader by colleagues. He was also instrumental in the creation of the psychiatry residency program at Community, one of the few such programs in the country to be based in a community health center.

As a person, he touched countless lives through his compassion and desire to help others. He was the type of person who felt a $15 meal for himself was extravagant, but had no problem paying for the college educations of almost every one of his kids. A strong legacy he left to his family is the inherent value in an education and being a lifelong learner, which he considered critically important. Of all the states he lived and worked, his favorite was Idaho, particularly his cabin -- a refurbished old insulated train boxcar -- in Island Park, Idaho on the border of West Yellowstone, where he would bring family members up to snowmobile through the park and to enjoy conversation and board games when the day was over back at the cabin. His favorite spot of all was Two Top Mountain, a few miles from the Idaho/Montana border. Many of the most cherished memories of family members involves time spent at the cabin in Idaho.

One of his lifelong interests was computers. In the last 8 months of his life, he started a computer technology business with his sons John and Ben, for which they all share a deep passion for the technology and potential future of the business. His loving wife believes that enthusiasm, happiness and excitement for the business might have extended his life by a few months; sons John and Ben promised to continue his legacy through the business and see it through to the end.

Dr. Covington is survived by his wife Tonia Covington, brother Bill Covington, children John Covington, Paul Covington, Dr. Benjamin Hodges, Gabe Hodges, Dr. Mark Covington, Jennifer Egger, Eric Covington and grandchildren Amelie Covington, Emily and Mattie Hodges, Walker Hodges, Hannah Hammer and Eli Wolfmeyer. He will forever be missed.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Neptune Society, where online condolences may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/obituaries.