peacefully passed away on February 4th, 2010 after a long illness surrounded by his loving family. David was born in Phoenix, AZ on July 8th, 1943. He proudly served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to Arizona State University and received a BA degree so he could become a teacher. He later earned a Masters Degree and continued teaching for 26 years. As a young man he earned many medals in track and field and enjoyed coaching later in life. He also enjoyed family, all sports, western novels, gardening and his dogs. David is preceded in death by his father Hipolito and mothers Esther Covarrubias and Anita Covarrubias. Survived by his loving wife of 40 years Teresa; children Michael, Melissa (fiancé Tyeson), Mark, Matthew and sister Susana Sesma and brothers Johnny, Gilbert (Star), Roy (Ana), Reynaldo (Cathy) and numerous nieces, nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews and grand dogs. A Visitation will be held from 4:00-6:30 pm, with a Rosary at 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 11, 2010 at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix. Funeral Mass will be at 11:00 am, Friday, February 12, 2010 at St. Gregory Catholic Church, 3424 N. 18th Avenue. Interment will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of AZ. Family suggests donations to Donor Network of Arizona in lieu of flowers. Please sign guest book at www.whitneymurphyfuneralhome.com
Natalie Benitez
Dear Mrs. Covarrubias, I was so sad to hear of your loss. I was one of students at Ann Ott & you were one of my most influential teachers in my life. Some of my fondess childhood memories were playing softball with Dave as our Coach. Dave always made us feel like winners even when we lost. a game. God Bless you & may God give you & your family the strength to get through this difficult time. Just wanted you to know how special both you & Dave were in my life.
Connie Labastida Leon
Terry and family,
Accept our most profound condolences. If there is anything you need call me. My first thoughts of David were when we were at ASU. If was a fun time for all of us. I also remember when you came to tell me you were getting married. I was surprised! May he rest in peace and be in the presence of the Lord. May God bless all of you and comfort you. Our prayers are with you!
Vestula T. Turman
Dear Terry,
I was saddened to read that Dave had passed. We were colleagues at Lowell School during the 1970’s. He was always a supportive and professional co-worker. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Vestula
Terri Farley
Dear Roy and Anna,
I am so sorry for your loss.
I will pray for your whole family.
Terri
mike & Nancy Espinoza (Cordova)
To Terri and her family. Our deepest condelences. We attended
PhoenixUnion with David and Terri. David ran track with Mike while at PU. Those were the good old days. Our prayers are with you and your family during this sad time.
Mike and Nancy Espinoza
Edward Kolesar
Just wanted to let you what an impact David had on my life. He was my fifth grade teacher at Madison Park Elementary School in 1973. He was my first male teacher and that was the neatest thing for me and all my friends in class. I remember to this day how he made us see the positive side of everything. He made sure we stayed up to date on homework and projects and always kept us in order , but with much respect. We called him ” Covey Baby ” he loved it and used to laugh when we would say it. I have fond memories of him and hope that all of you find comfort in knowing that David is no longer in pain or suffering and is comfortable in the presence of the Lord.
My Condolences,
Edward Kolesar
Penny&Greg Harmon
Hi Covarrubias family. Sorry for the loss of your loved one. we will be keeping you in our prayers.
God Bless
Penny Greg Harmon
Dawn Burstyn-Meyers
I am so sadden by the passing of Dave. What a wonderful man. He always had a positive attitude. He loved his family very much. He would always talk about his family. I loved working with him at Kenilworth. I saw him a few years ago. He stopped at my school on the Salt River Reservation. He really surprised me that day. We talked about Kenilworth days. It was a great surprise. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. I will truly miss him. Dawn
Mona and Steve Shelley and family
Terry, Michael, Melissa, Mark and “Mamyou”….please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time…David was a true inspiration to all…his determination to beat his battles is so inspiring. We have fond memeories of your dad and all the family….from school, to sports to babysitting little “mamyou” , as Chris topher would say. Keep his memory alive and know that you are a wonderful legacy to his name. With love and condolences, Mona, Steve, Jason , Sara, Brian and Christopher Shelley
Raquel Covarrubias Leyvas
My condolences and prayers are with you during this time of sorrow to help you endure the great sadness that is affecting us all.Psalms 55:22
Connie Lopez
Melissa, my heart goes out to you and your family. My prayers are wth you and your family at this difficult time.
I will always have a place in my heart for your Dad, he was a great person and a great coach! I will always remember the day that we started our softball team, the “Illusive Butterflies” (the original team!) We would practice over at Herrera Elementary School, your Dad and your Tio Gilbert were our coaches, one of my favorite memories. I thank him for giving me the experience and memories that I will always cherish. He will be missed.
Paul Cox family
Teresa, Rey, and John, please accept my family’s thoughts and prayers for you and your entire family. My family used to live very near the Covarrubias family in the 1950’s. Recently one of my brothers and I had the pleasure of meeting John and Rey at Silverdale and we had the chance to share memories of bygone days and learn about the Covarrubias family. This morning I was able to pray and cry with John over the passing of his brother. May David rest in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all. Avis Cox Mobley
Arthur Covarrubias Leyvas
My condolence to the Covarrubias Family. I meet David as a kid and remember my Tio Hipolito and Tia Anita, what a warming and loving family. My mom, Rachel Covarrubias Leyvas spoke highly of her cousin and the great memory they shared as kids. My prayer go out to the family and friends in this time of sadness.
NELLIE COVARRUBIAS PACHUCA
To Covarrubias Family. To the lost of my cousin. I remember my cousin when he use to come from service and was very handsome, he was always smiling and very friendly it was always a great pleasure to see him. He will always be in my heart and memory, and we are going to miss him. Love from Houston, Texas
David Ardaya and Mary and Richard Cordova
Dear Terry, Michael, Mark, Melissa, and Godson Matthew,
We are very thankful for all of the wonderful memories of David and your beautiful family–at soccer games, school plays, scouting events, and many, many celebrations. We will always cherish David’s kind and caring way and his witty humor. He will be sorely missed.
With love,
Mary, David and Richard
Diana Santana Chouinard
Dear Terry and Family – May you be comforted in knowing that David was an inspiration to so many people throughout his life. My sisters and I have such fond memories of our softball days, with David and Gilbert as our coaches. I believe we were part of the original “Butterflies”!!! We had so much fun at practices and David always gave us the motivation to do our best … we had a great team! But more than that, he also was influential to many in teaching teamwork, self esteem, respect and family values. My God, those were truly the good ol’ days… and we were all so very priviledged to have had you and Dave as part of our lives. I’m sure those memories bring a smile and warm the hearts of all of those he coached through the years…especially all the ex-Butterflies! May God continue to bless you and your entire family as you gain strenghth from all those beautiful, loving memories and the love and happiness that you both have spread in so many ways. Most sincerely, with love, Diana, Mary Alice and Helen (Santana)
Charles Horgan
I am saddened by the passing of a great role model. Mr. Covarrubias was always a fixture at the school for my entire 1-6 tenure at Kenilworth. He had that issue with his neck where he had to turn his whole body to speak to us, but when he did, it was always with respect and with a smile. He used to run the popsicle sale on Fridays and managed the student council. I never had him directly as a teacher, but it never stopped him from speaking to us and passing on words of wisdom.