Edward L. LaRue, age 79, a resident of Bronson, Kansas, passed away Monday, November 17, 2025, at the Mercy Hospital in Pittsburg, Kansas. He was born December 19, 1945. Ed grew in the Xenia area where he was raised by his grandparents, Tom & Myra Johnson. Ed graduated from Bronson High School. He was later drafted into the United States Army where he served in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Following his military service, Ed began a career in gas service. He worked as a pipeline installer and customer service representative for many years. Ed was united in marriage to Mary L. Esch on May 4, 1968, at Pittsburg, Kansas. Ed and Mary settled on their farm south of Bronson where he remained for the remainder of his days. He enjoyed life in the country where he fished and hunted deer. He also liked driving around the countryside and playing the occasional game of pitch. Many memories were made while traveling on their many family vacations.
Ed is survived by his children, Jeff LaRue, Jennifer LaRue (Rusty) and Jason LaRue (Heather) as well as two additional daughters he and Mary raised, Tess Johnson and Tina Gossett (David), five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on February 25, 2015.
Graveside services will be held at 11:00 A.M. Saturday, November 22nd at the Bronson Cemetery. Following services, the family will receive friends at the Bronson Community Center. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude’s Hospital or the Shriner’s Hospital and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be left on the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.