Copyright 2002 The San Diego Union-Tribune
The San Diego Union-Tribune
August 16, 2002, Friday
SECTION: LOCAL;Pg. B-5
LENGTH: 378 words
BYLINE: UNION-TRIBUNE

Moody Covey, who rose from refinery engineer to vice president of corporate administration in his 35-year career in the oil industry, died Sunday at his Rancho Santa Fe home. He was 72.

The cause of death was amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which had been diagnosed in March, said his wife, Betty Lou. In 1985, Mr. Covey moved from Studio City to Rancho Santa Fe after retiring from the Getty Oil Co. His retirement followed Getty Oil's sale in 1984 to Texaco.

As a San Diego County resident, Mr. Covey was a member of the President's Council of Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. He also had been president and a board member of the Stratford homeowners in a gated Rancho Santa Fe community.

He was born in Bristow, Okla., and graduated from Oklahoma State University, where he majored in industrial engineering and mathematics.

Following his father into the oil business, he began his career in Drumright, Okla., for Tidewater Oil Co. Tidewater merged in 1967 with Getty Oil Co., and Mr. Covey eventually was promoted to managing director and vice president of Mitsubishi Oil Ltd., a Getty holding in Tokyo.

Returning to the United States after four years in Japan, he became vice president of Skelly Oil, another Getty property, in Tulsa, Okla. Mr. Covey left Tulsa in the late 1970s to become vice president of corporate administration in Getty's Los Angeles office.

During his business career, he was listed in "Who's Who in America" and "Who's Who in Finance and Industry."

Mr. Covey served as a lieutenant in the Air Force Reserve. He was a Presbyterian elder and a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason.

In addition to various oil industry affiliations, his memberships included the Republican Senatorial Inner Circle, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Fairbanks Ranch Country Club.

Before his illness, Mr. Covey enjoyed golfing and had celebrated his 50th wedding anniversary with a trip around the world.

In addition to his wife, survivors include a son, Brent of Encinitas; and a brother, Dr. Cyclone Covey of Winston-Salem, N.C.

A memorial service is scheduled for noon Tuesday at El Camino Memorial Park chapel. Donations are suggested to the ALS Association, 8895 Towne Centre Drive, Suite 105-325, San Diego CA 92112-5542.