Ed Young

(From Ozark Memorial Park Crematory)

Edwin (Ed) Ernest Young was born in Chanute, Kansas on April 6, 1933; and he passed away in Joplin, Missouri on November 28, 2025. Ed was the first born of Roscoe and Burneda Young. His younger siblings were Harvey L. Young and, Janice L. Young (Hazen).

Following graduation from Chanute High School, Ed worked in Independence, Kansas as a sign-maker. He then attended Kansas City Art Institute. While there, Ed was drafted into the army and served at multiple bases in the states before serving in Germany. The Army was able to take advantage of Ed’s artistic abilities by tasking him with assignments for which he used his skills in calligraphy, signmaking, and lettering.

After his time in the service, Ed married LaVonne Hammer. He had two sons with LaVonne; Wesley Frank and, Ross Martin. His son Ross also had a son, Michael. Ed and LaVonne later divorced. After a time, Ed married Pat Kapp. It was then the he was pleased to add Pat’s four sons; Russ, David(his spouse Jeanne and children Alexandra and Benjamin), Mark, and James to his family. As Pat’s sons’ families grew, Ed became a loving grandfather to more grandchildren. He treated Pat’s grandchildren as if they were his own.

Some of Ed’s works include the Royster Rocket mascot that he created in the ninth grade for Chanute, Kansas Junior High School. His family feels fortunate that it was through the wisdom of recent attendees of what is now Royster Middle School that his design is still in use. Ed also worked as an advertising salesman, the department of art design and sales for Ace Hardware, and in lettering and calligraphy at Hallmark Cards. After leaving Kansas City for Tucson, Arizona; Ed and Pat started Signtific Signs with Dave and Jeanne Kapp. Signtific Signs in Tucson was an award-winning sign shop with beautiful signs still in place all around Tucson Arizona. Later, Ed created the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum signs at the four entrances to Chanute while working for his brother Harvey at Young’s Welding, Inc. in Chanute, Kansas; a business that was started by, Roscoe and Burneda, Ed’s father and mother. Young’s Welding, Inc. is a family business still standing strong and being run by Roscoe and Burneda’s grandson Darren Young. Ed and Pat were together for years going from Kansas City to Tucson, then Chanute Kansas, settling finally in Joplin Missouri. 

After moving to Joplin, Ed created a yard filled with flower beds for butterflies, birds, and bees. He loved flowers (particularly Iris), and was a member of the Joplin Iris Club. Ed loved all of nature, and he was an avid bird watcher. He was always sure to keep his bird feeders full, and he would be in his chair with binoculars for hours. Ed spent his life creating and enjoying art. At work or play Ed was an excellent person and artist all of his life.

Arrangements are under the care of Ozark Memorial Park Crematory of Joplin, Mo