Clifford H. Covington Jr. '57

Clifford H. Covington Jr., whose mathematics degree led to a long career at Rockwell International, where he worked on the space program and classified defense initiatives, passed away Jan. 31 at age 87.

Covington was born July 25, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, to parents Clifford H. Covington Sr. and Alma E. Allen. The family eventually moved to Compton, Calif., where he graduated from Compton High School. An only child, he was studious and excelled in school, particularly in chemistry, physics and math, taking college courses while still in high school. He graduated from Compton College in 1954 with an A.A. degree in mathematics and physics. He then transferred to UCLA and the family moved from Compton to Hyde Park, closer to the UCLA campus in Westwood.

While at UCLA, Covington became interested in chess and model building (ships and radios). After graduating with a B.A. in mathematics, he found a job in the field of airplane design and analysis.

While working at his first job, he attended post graduate school for systems engineering at West Coast University, graduating in 1960. He worked for several companies before finding the job he would have for the next 25 years, until retirement at the age of 55: Rockwell International.

A few years into his Rockwell career as full-time aerospace engineer, Covington moved to an apartment on Stocker Street in Baldwin Hills, developed a healthy interest in auto racing and sports cars, and met the love of his life, Carrie Mae Tucker, an expressive lady from Philadelphia, Penn., whom married in 1965. They moved just a mile away to a home in Windsor Hills, where they made their home for the next 56 years. The couple had a son, Charles.

Covington worked very hard as a father and husband, and at Rockwell on space and confidential programs for the U.S. government, included Apollo 11 and 13, the B-1 bomber, the space shuttle and various satellite programs. He often refused to confirm what he was working on, because, he noted “it’s top secret.” His work on the Apollo 11 mission earned him a commemorative medallion from the U.S. government.

In early 1994, the family became members of Bethel A.M.E. Church, where Covington joined The Brotherhood Organization and volunteered as a math tutor for the youth. The same year, he became a Mason and involved himself in the organization, working for such programs as the Pythagorean Knights and Mother’s Day Brunch Committee.

Covington is mourned and his memory cherished by his son, Charles; cousins Wayne (Donna) Harpe, Alane Harpe, Donovan Harpe, Alaysia Martin, Gavin Wagner, Paul (Sandy) Steward, Deborah Howard-McMillian and Klaudia Howard-Smith; nephews James Tucker, Walter Tucker and Howard Bistline; nieces Dawn Tucker and Bernadette Tucker; brother-in-law James Tucker Sr.; The Bethel LA Brotherhood Organization, Fraternal Brothers and Sisters; and a host of extended family and friends. His wife, Carrie Mae Covington, passed away in 2005.

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