Daniel Perry Covey

Daniel "Perry" Covey passed away May 1, 2011, at home, after cancer treatment was no longer working. He was born June 30, 1947, to Archie Uriah and Vera Bessie (White) Covey at Omak, WA, the fourth boy in a family of five children. His father owned and operated Covey's Repair, so Perry grew up with wrenches and engines. He built go-carts; a hydroplane (which promptly sank); later customized a 1961 Lancer, in a style ahead of its time; and built a 1926 Ford Model T hot rod. He also raced dirt bikes at Crumbacher track. Perry graduated from Omak High School in 1965, and attended Wenatchee Valley College for two years, studying Engineering. Perry married Dorece Short in 1965; they had a daughter, Dena Dorece, who passed away in 1969. He married his high school sweetheart, Sandra "Sandy" Long, on May 18, 1969, at Seattle. They lived in Yakima, where he was working building swimming pools. In September 1969, he took an aptitude test for computer programming and was hired by National Cash Register Co. and trained to be a Computer Systems Analyst in the new and upcoming field. In 1970, they moved to Wenatchee. He later worked for Computer Knowledge Corp., then created his own software consulting business, Central Washington Computer Associates. Their first son, Daniel Shane, was born in 1971, followed by a second son, Jacob Kendall, in 1975. Perry was very proud of his sons' character and success. Perry continued to work until his last two weeks, at the career he loved, specializing in mail order, cooperatives and patronage software applications. He had long and loyal relationships with his clients and their staffs, and will be missed by them all. His quirky sense of humor was well known among those with whom he worked and he became fast friends with many. Perry was a former member of the Elks, and raced at the Wenatchee Super Oval in the "B" car division in the early 70's, in two different orange "#5" cars, proving a Hudson V-6 could be competitive with the V-8's. He was a proud recipient of the track's lifelong pass. His passion for old cars culminated in a distinctive collection of Packard ornamentation and memorabilia. Becoming an expert on all things Packard, he was near to completing a book on the subject. He jokingly called the Packard "goddess" his "religion." He was especially proud to be "president" of the Thursday Night Garage Association, a title he shared with all his TNGA buddies, whom he treasured, spending time swapping lies, some truths, and great fellowship. His granddaughter, Bailey, shared his love of swap meets, companioning him and learning at the "master's feet" how to barter and get the best price. They shared the same birth date and Perry called her his "twin." He loved being surrounded by his beautiful granddaughters, teasing and cuddling with "George" (Taylor), Bailey and Cami, making up wild stories for them with his distorted "true facts." A homebody in the truest sense, dinners and visits with family were his favorite social events. He leaves behind, for a while, his wife, Sandy; his sons, Daniel Shane (Marina) Covey of Wenatchee and Jacob Kendall (Liz) Covey of Seattle; granddaughters, Taylor Florem, Bailey Danielle and Cameron Storey Covey, Freya Blue and a baby girl on the way; two brothers, Floyd (Charlotte) and David (Geralyn) Covey, all of Omak; many extended relatives; his "brother by choice," Jim Moody of East Wenatchee; and many friends, whom he cherished. Memorial Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street, Wenatchee, on Thursday, May 12, 2011, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to P.E.O. Chapter CC local scholarship fund; the Humane Society; or a charity of your choice. Arrangements are by Telford's Chapel of the Valley, East Wenatchee.

Daniel Perry Covey

June 30, 1947 - May 1, 2011