Age 72, passed away on Thursday, September 24, 2020. Ed was born in Vicksburg, on March 8, 1948, the son of Edwin Charles and Helen Vara (Hill) Newkirk. Ed proudly served his country in the United States Navy. He served in Viet Nam 5 years and was shot down a couple times and at one time was pronounced dead. He was a true American hero. Ed was an avid hunter and fisherman. He had a great collection of firearms. He loved reading, especially history, war stories and books about cars and firearms. He was a generous person and would give anyone the shirt off his back. Nothing was more important to him than his family. Ed’s children remember him as being a loving dad. He loved his grandchildren especially and they loved him right back. Ed is survived by his life-time companion, Kathy Holroyd of Kalamazoo; his children, Mandy (Cory) Newkirk-Overloop of Kalamazoo, Andrew Newkirk of Kalamazoo, step-son, Terry (Megan Winn) Holroyd; grandchildren, Devon Holroyd, Jordyn Holroyd, Alexis Peterson, Kennedy Holroyd, Anya Newkirk-Curtis, Terrence Holroyd Jr., Trinity Holroyd, Brody Newkirk-Overloop, Anomalie Newkirk-Overloop, Oakley Newkirk-Overloop; siblings, Jim, Max, and Dena; several nieces and nephews.