Obituary of James Bernard Covert

James Bernard Covert, age 62, of Wytheville, passed away Easter morning, April 20, 2025, at his home. James was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania, to the late James Ellsworth Covert and Ida May Buffy on August 8, 1962. Shortly after graduating high school in Manassas, Virginia, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and then later, retiring from the U.S. Army, as a Military Police Officer. Specialist James B. Covert served on active duty during the period of December 6, 1990, to June 8, 1991, with the 352D Military Police Company. During his activation and deployment in support of operation Desert Shield/Storm, he was assigned to a military community in Ramstein, Germany, to perform daily law and order and anti-terrorism missions. Some of his honors and achievements are as follow; He earned the “Scroll of Appreciation,” from the United States Army, Europe, and the Seventh Army, awarded Specialist James B. Covert, for exceptional and untiring service which he provided to the Augsburg Military Community, during operation Desert Shield/Storm, on March 13th, 1991. SPC James B. Covert received additional honors from the Department of the Army, Certificate of Achievement, for his exceptional dedication, service, duty performance, appearance, and technical proficiency, highlighting his outstanding level of professional confidence, in the support of the 204th Military Police Company, Federal Republic of Germany, during the period of April 20th to May 22nd, 1991. The 336th Military Police Battalion Certificate of Achievement was awarded to SPC James B. Covert, May 6, 1991, for personal actions and professional decorum that were indeed exemplary of the Minuteman Guardsman/ Reservist spirit. His readiness, commitment and abilities, proved that mobilization was effective during Desert Shield/ Storm. SPC James B. Covert, graduated and received his U.S Army Military Police School Diploma, April 1, 1992. Upon retiring from the military, James completed his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a concentration in Outdoor Recreation, from Bluefield University. He helped to build the nature trail around the university. James was the president of the Appalachian Trail Club and enjoyed volunteering to help repair and clear debris, at the AT in Bland County, Virginia. In addition to his enjoying hiking and camping on AT, James loved and lived life, one day at a time, in the fullness of the Spirit. He enjoyed his time teaching children and youth at “Camp on Craig.” He was an excellent instructor, teaching topics such as: camp safety, shelter construction, water procurement, plant, tree, insects and reptile identification, and gathering edible foods, fire building and cooking in the woods. James also instructed “Wilderness Preparedness” and “Bush Craft” classes in the summer for both homeschool groups and some Wythe County programs. James was a craftsman/artist of many talents in woodworking, pottery, sculpting clay and metal work. He was always in his shop making something when not working his regular job. His greatest passion was blacksmithing, forging knives, short swords, spears, and tomahawks, and hand crafting handles and sheathes. James was introduced to forging and bladesmithing, by his father Jim, when he was a teenager and wanted to buy a knife. His father told him, “NO! but I will show you how to make one.” James never stopped making them for 50 years. He also forged his own blacksmithing tools and made decorative anvils. He never purchased any metal or supplies, always recycling his materials. James was featured in 2011, “The Wonder of Knifemaking, 2nd edition, by the late Wayne Goddard, for his 400 pound “Arc of the Covenant” anvil he made. Additionally, James participated in several demonstrations at the Crab Orchard Museum in Tazewell, Virginia. Over the last several years, he was the Town of Wytheville’s blacksmith for the Jackson/Umberger Homestead Museum. James enjoyed his volunteer work as well in our local community. He was the President of the non- profit, Warehaus Mission, Inc. “Food 4 U” organization. He loved cooking and ministering to those in need, making them laugh and smile. James was about commitment and attention to detail, always the first on scene to serve others. James always had an infectious smile and laugh, never hurrying to close his day out. He never feared or wavered from his Christian beliefs in Jesus Christ, his Lord. James was always full of joy and peace, which could intoxicate anyone. When speaking with him, others could always feel his kind, gentle spirit. James was light and salt wherever his path led him. He is so loved and now is living forever in His Kingdom of Glory! James is a Champion of Christ, he has Victory in the King! James is survived by his wife of 23 years, Jinjer Alise Van Antwerp Covert of Wytheville; his three sons and grandchildren: James (Tony) Anthony Covert and wife, Tamara; grandchildren; Ruby Catherine, Adeline Grace, Zebulun James, Jax Anthony of Fredericksburg, VA: Bryce Remington Covert and wife, Jana Anne; grandchildren; Lilly Lucia Marie, Chloe Vittoria Marie of Seattle, WA; Christian John Covert and wife, Emily; granddaughter Aubrey B., grandsons: Brayden J. and Dylan R. and a child is expected in May, of Seattle, WA; James is also survived by his mother, Ida May Covert of Blue Ridge, VA; Brother: John Covert and his wife, Rebecca of Thaxton, VA; nephews: Johnny Covert and his wife, Melissa of Atlanta, GA; Joshua Covert and his wife, Carrie of Raleigh, NC; two sisters: Beth Covert and nieces, Alexandria and Olivia Franck of Richmond, VA; sister, Cindy Covert Bergel and husband, Ian Bergel, of Julian, California. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the Grubb Funeral Home in Wytheville, Virginia. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. Service will begin at 2:00 p.m., with the Reverend Steve Dew officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jackson/Umberger Homestead Museum, 115 W. Spiller St., Wytheville, VA 24382, in honor of the Town of Wytheville’s Blacksmith, James B. Covert. Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to the family at www.grubbfuneralhome.com Grubb Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.