Doug Covey

Doug Covey was a family man through and through. He and his wife, Beth thrived on staying active and devoting much of their time and resources to the family they so loved. Each and every time he was out riding his bike, skiing, or outdoors, his heart was content in living his life to its fullest. Gone too soon, there is no doubt Doug leaves behind many wonderful memories for his family and many special friends to cherish forevermore.

The year 1957 was when Doug’s story began on September 11th in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Proud parents, Preston and Ann Marie (Flickinger) Covey welcomed home their baby boy, Douglas. His birth brought much joy and happiness to the family home. Doug was born with an optimistic spirit. He was always full of laughter and joy from a young age. His family spent many special moments at their cottage on Silver Lake near South Haven. They would bring their boat down from the dock in East Grand Rapids each summer to enjoy on the water. Doug fell in love with water skiing and spending time fishing with his grandfather. Active and on the go, sports were his outlet during these years, and Doug loved his time on the Grand Rapids Water Ski Team and at the Grand Rapids Ski Club. His parents, Doug and sister, Kindy, took many ski trips to Boyne Highlands and spent many Christmas vacations in Aspen. Many family memories were made on the ski hills.

After high school, he set off for Northern Michigan University in Marquette. Majoring in business with a minor in conservation, Doug spent his time between studies skiing, biking, and exploring the area. Shortly after his graduating from NMU, Doug packed his car and headed for the mountains of Sun Valley, Idaho. Once there, he truly fell in love with skiing and managed a local record store in order to pay rent and fund his annual ski pass!

Doug eventually landed back in Michigan to work with his dad selling flooring at Bishop Distributing. His life took a dramatic change the moment he met his neighbor, Beth at the pool in Greenspire Apartments in Portage. Meeting at the pool together, they struck up a conversation. Their first date was a tennis match where love was more than just the score! They later took a drive for their next date out to South Haven where neither of them wanted the conversation to end. The two of them married and began a family of their own including their two wonderful children, Alyssa and Nevin. Over the years, Doug and Beth enjoyed biking and being outdoors together. Beth even learned how to ski so they could enjoy the slopes side by side. A natural handy man, Doug aimed to please. Whenever Beth changed up their home decor, Doug painted the house top to bottom to match her color palette. Their marriage was a beautiful example of compromise and partnership.

Loving parents, he and Beth created many special memories as a family. Friday night pizza nights bonded their family for many years. As the kids grew, the crowd also grew to include many of the kids’ friends. Doug and Beth always made their home a welcoming place. As a dad, he was their number one fan! Coaching Little League, building Alyssa her big green wall for practicing soccer and a pitching mound for Nevin, and never missing any of their special events was his passion over the years. As busy as his work schedule was, Doug would race home, change his clothes, and get out to the field to cheer them on! One time he even earned himself a speeding ticket on the way! Supportive as well as encouraging, his kids knew their dad always had their back! There simply wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family.

As a family, they made many special memories together. They frequented South Haven taking in countless sunsets and enjoying time on the water. He and Beth enjoyed taking the family on many special trips over the years. On any trip, their car was packed to the brim with bikes, paddleboards, windsurfers, and as much as they could fit to have fun outdoors! Doug loved buying everyone in the family a brand new pair of shoes for vacation! They would pack them away until the day they left for the trip. As a family, they shared a love of the ski hills and took many ski trips to popular spots throughout the west. Always looking for new adventures and new places to stay, they frequently rented a house in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina for the kids to enjoy the beach and for Doug to windsurf. They were always active and enjoyed spending time together.

Doug worked hard to provide for his family. He started his career at Bishop Distributing and worked for various flooring companies and was fortunate to end his career at Engineered Floors. He enjoyed the simple pleasures in life. Social by nature, he loved having friends gather at the fire pit in their backyard beer garden. Doug loved taking care of his parents and delivered Friday night meals. Each week he looked forward to Friday night pizza and beer nights. Any time his family was together, he was happy. He and his grandson, Everett formed a special relationship over the past three years. They enjoyed taking walks together and Doug was very proud to have taught him how to hit a baseball off a tee! Everett was the light of his life. Devoted, dedicated, and deeply loved, Doug will be dearly missed and fondly remembered for his generous heart and compassion for others. May his adventurous spirit continue to be reflected in the lives of his loved ones for generations to come.

Douglas Covey, age 64, of Portage, Michigan, died on March 17, 2022. Doug was preceded in death by his grandparents: Hugh (Edna) Flickinger and Clovis (Hilda) Covey. Surviving are his wife, Beth; children: Alyssa (Luke) Skolasky and Nevin Covey; grandson: Everett; his parents; sister, Kindy (Gil) Segovia; niece, Andrea (Michael) Bray and Merideth (Michael) Muthleb; great-nephew, Ethan; and sister-in-law, Lisa Barton.

Please join us at a Life Story Visitation where food, drinks, and stories will be shared on Monday (MAR 21) 4-7 PM at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo 269-375-2900. In honor of Doug, guests are invited to wear their favorite sports, brewery, or concert t-shirt. Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Tuesday (MAR 22) at Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 7028 Oakland Dr., Portage.

Visit Doug’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Bronson Health Foundation. You’re also invited to bring school supply donations which will be provided to local schools.