Earl Vincent Kennedy, age 85, of Bella Vista passed away Thursday evening, November 7, 2024, at Circle of Life Hospice Home in Bentonville Arkansas. He was born on July 4, 1939, in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, son of the late Howard and Francis (Martz) Kennedy.

Earl served in the United States Army from 1958 until his Honorable Discharge in 1961 reaching the rank of Sergeant. Post military, he opened and operated his own businesses leasing service stations from Standard Oil and Texaco in Wilkinsburg Pennsylvania.

He met his future wife, Mary Ann Alexander in the spring of 1958 and they were married on August 6, 1965. Throughout their many years together they enjoyed the simpler things in life such as family gatherings, church, going to the movies, casual dining out, playing cards, and friends.

Earl pursued further education and training as an automotive master technician working many years for the Chrysler Corporation Dealer Network, then transitioning into a quality control manager in the railroad equipment and medical equipment fields where he worked for a few different corporations until his retirement in 1998 from the Devilbiss Corporation in Riveria Beach, Florida. A few years after retirement Earl and Mary Ann relocated to Bella Vista to enjoy their retirement years. They attend the first United Methodist Church in Bella Vista.

He enjoyed helping others and made friends everywhere he went. He also loved traveling to Branson MO, gardening, golfing, music, and his model trains. Earl and Mary Ann's trips to Branson were aligned by their friendship with the Oak Ridge Boys and their tour schedule.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Circle of Life Hospice for all the compassionate care given to Earl as well as the nurses and care giving staff at Mercy Northwest.

Earl's family meant everything to him, he was a great husband, and the best father/grandfather ever, definitely one of a kind. He enjoyed life to the fullest and will be greatly missed by all.

He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Howard and Robert; one sister, Mary Ann; and his grandson, Alexander.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Mary Ann (Alexander) Kennedy of the home; two sons, Jeff (Cindy) Kennedy, Pea Ridge AR and Greg (Melissa) Kennedy, Mechanicsville VA; nine grandchildren, Joshua, Derrick, Austin, Katie, Aidan, Alexander, Stephanie, Samantha, and Brett; and sixteen great grandchildren, Brooklyn, Londyn, Klayton, Zontai, Madi, Asher, Fyscher, Dominic, Madison, Cole, Kaiya, Ava, Hudson, Frank, Leo, and Henry.

A memorial service with inurnment will take place at a later date.

Arrangements are under the direction of Bella Vista Funeral Home & Crematory. On-line condolences may be made at www.funeralmation.com.