Kevin Gerald Rockford

Kevin, born in 1930, was a first generation American, and the middle son of Irish Catholic parents. His father, Thomas Rockford, was from County Clare Ireland, and his mother, Anne McKenny, was from County Leitrim, Ireland. He grew up in Detroit surrounded by an extended Irish family, and served 9 years in the United States Air Force, after which he joined the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) as an Air Traffic Controller. He met his wife Gail Dolph while stationed at the Detroit Air Route Traffic Control Center, while she was working for Capitol Airlines as a radio operator. They were married for 54 years.

He was a devoted husband, grandfather, and great grandfather. They had two wonderful children; a boy Patrick Michael, born in 1959, and a girl Valerie Anne, born in 1960. He was a man of strong will and character, and we liked to say he was the 'grease' that kept the wheel rolling in the family. He managed to get his Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice in his 50's from Baldwin Wallace in Ohio. He was a sports nut, and played softball in his younger years. He was an avid fan of all the Detroit teams (Lions, Redwings, and Tigers).

In his late 40's his first grandchild, Brooke Marie came along to bring joy to his life. Three years later Colleen Elizabeth added to that joy. They were the children of his son and his wife (Kay Rockford (Mallow). He was blessed with his third granddaughter Shannon Marie in 1995, born to his daughter and her husband, Dennis Dupont. He lived nearby, and got to see them grow up and participate in their life. Adding to his joy are great grandsons Liam and Kaeden.

Kevin passed away on September 21, 2012 just after a visit to his family in Ireland, and will be sorely missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Gail, his son Patrick Rockford and wife Heidi, daughter Valerie Dupont and husband Dennis, granddaughters Brooke and Colleen Rockford, Shannon Dupont and great grandsons Liam Rockford Powell and Kaeden Rockford, his older brother, Tom Rockford, and younger brother, Ira Joseph Rockford. Preceding him in death were his parents and younger sister, Gerry Jennings.

A graveside service to honor and celebrate Kevin's life will be held Friday, September 28, 2012 at 10:30 AM at DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas.