Eric J. Kennedy

Rock Island, Illinois
Major Eric Kennedy, 59, of Rock Island, Illinois, died Saturday, August 8, 2009, in Rock Island Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
Services are 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Celebration of Life Chapel at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Moline, with The Reverend Ed Kurisak officating. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Burial is in Rock Island National Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Eric James Kennedy was born August 1, 1950, in Long Beach, California, the son of Wilbur and Joyce (Phillips) Kennedy. He married Debra Pollack, with whom he had two daughters.
Eric enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1969, serving his country proudly in Vietnam. Duty highlights after Vietnam included Marine Barracks 8th and I Washington D.C., Drill Instructor at Marine Recruit Depot in San Diego, and Marine Liason in Europe and the Rock Island Arsenal. Eric served as an Ammunition Officer and earned the rank of Major. After retiring from the Marines in 1992, he served 16 years as a Program Analyst at the Rock Island Arsenal. Among others, Eric was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, and Army Commendation Medal.
Eric attended Edgewood Baptist Church, Rock Island. He was a proud member of the NRA, the Harley Davidson Owner Group, and was a Parrot Head. He was a loyal Republican as well as a Mallards and Flames season ticket holder from their inception.
Major Kennedy is survived by daughters and a son-in-law, Sara and Kevin Mudd, and Erica Kennedy, all of Louisville, Kentucky, grandchildren, Noah and Mya Mudd, and Aiden Dunham, a brother, Steve Kennedy, and sisters, Holly Greer and Keely Darrow, as well as many close friends and fellow Marines.
The family invites you to share stories and condolences and light a candle in Eric?s memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.