Knights Templar of Tennessee

2008

Born 30 September 1948 in Garden City, Michigan, the son of James R. and Violet M. (Grady) Covey. He was educated in Obion County, Tennessee and graduated high school in Plymouth,
 Michigan. He is retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company with 30 years. He was  nducted into the United States Army, January 1969, serving in Vietnam January 1970 to December 1970. Entering Tennessee Army National Guard in November 1985 and retiring August 2006 with the rank of SFC.

He married Paula Wilson on 5 August 1967 and they have two sons, James Ray Covey and Matthew Lee Covey, both residing in Union City, Tennessee. They have four grandchildren – Gage, Sulley, Cameron, and Carly.

He was raised to the sublime degree of Master Mason in Western Sun Lodge No. 88 on 19 January 1981 and served as Worshipful Master in 1987. He served as Worshipful Master in Union City Lodge No. 538 in 1996 and served the Grand Lodge as District No. 3 Chairman 1996 to 1999.

He was exalted in Union City Chapter No. 132 in July 1982, serving as High Priest in 1995. He
 has served Grand Chapter as Deputy Grand High Priest 1996 to 2008 for District 2, as appointed Grand Officer. He received the Order of High Priesthood in 1996.

He was greeted in Union City Council No. 122 in July 1982, serving as Illustrious Master in 1995
 and several other times. He has served Grand Council as Grand Marshal. He is the holder of the Grand Council Leadership Medal and received the Order of the Silver Trowel in 1996.

Sir Knight Covey was knighted in Union City Commandery No. 29 on 29 August 1982, serving as Eminent Commander from 1995 to 2003, received Knight Crusader of the Cross in 1996, and served as Knight Commander of the East in 2006.

He was inducted into Tennessee Priory No. 15, Knights of the York Cross of Honour in March 1999,  serving as Eminent Prior in 2007. He is a member of West Tennessee York Rite College, West Tennessee York Rite Association in Jackson serving as President in 2000. Also, he is a member of St. Stephens Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine, Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Knight Masons, Allied Masonic Degrees, the Royal Order of Scotland, Zaman Grotto No. 173, the National Sojourners, Memphis Scottish Rite Bodies, Al Chymia Shrine, and Order of the Easter Star.

In the Grand Commandery, Sir Knight Covey was elected Grand Captain General in 2005 and has advanced each year culminating in his election as Right Eminent Grand Commander at the Annual Conclave on May 3, 2008.