Retired Master Chief Ira Eugene Kennedy

Retired Master Chief Ira Eugene Kennedy, 71, of 8718 Middleton Court, died Friday, December 25, 2009, at the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis. A funeral service is scheduled for 1:00 pm Monday, December 28, 2009, at Lady's Funeral Home Chapel. The Rev. Darrell Coble will officiate. Interment with military graveside rites will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Mr. Kennedy was born September 9, 1938 in Concord. He was a son of Annie Pauline Helms. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 25 years of service. Among his many awards, he was a recipient of the Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal and the National Defense Service Medal. Mr. Kennedy is survived by his wife of 50 years, Nancy Hedrick Kennedy; two sons, Robert Eugene Kennedy and wife Phyllis of Magnolia, TX and Roddy Lee Kennedy and wife Cindy of Stagecoach, TX; three grandchildren, Jordan Kennedy, Ira Eugene Kennedy and Arlian Earl Kennedy; two brothers, Jackie Kennedy of Houston, TX and Rusty Helms of Kannapolis; and special friends, Jeff and Tamara Rush and their children, Jacob and Jackson. Memorials may be sent to the Bob & Carolyn Tucker Hospice House at the Hospice and Palliative Care of Cabarrus County, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.