Eddins Joseph Young

Eddins Joseph Young, known to many as E. J. or Grip, passed away on December 31, 2025, at the age of 98. Eddins was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 11, 1927, to Richard and Gertie (Kling) Young. He was a native and lifelong resident of Dutchtown, Louisiana. After graduating from Dutchtown High School, he began working for Illinois Central Railroad. He was married to Olivia “Shorty” Messina for 57 years. Together they had four children, Wayne, Bernie, Dennis, and Sandra Young. After retiring from Illinois Central Railroad in the late 1970’s Eddins enjoyed carpentry, gardening, raising cattle, working on his tractor, rabbit hunting, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. He was a member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and the Railroad Retirement “Big R’ Club.

Eddins was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Gertie Young, sisters, and brothers-in-law, Clara Bell and Jerome Babin, Marie and Hardie Elisar, and Isabelle and Adrian Wintz, his wife, Olivia Messina Young, and his son, Bernie Young. Eddins is survived by his sons, Wayne Young, Dennis (Patti) Young, and daughter, Sandra Young, grandchildren, Clint (Rina) Young, Trish (Darrin) Singletary, Richard (Katrina) Young, Wesley (Jill) Young, Courtney (Jason) Fernandez, and Aaron Young, great-grandchildren, Finn and Caitlynn Derksen, Lylah Young, Cole and Olivia Fernandez, and Maesyn Singletary, and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as David, Michael, and Bobby Freedman who he considered grandchildren.

Visitation will be at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Prairieville, Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 10:00 am until the Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in the church. Interment will follow in Prairieville Community Cemetery. A reception to follow at the St. John Community Center.

Pallbearers will be Wesley and Aaron Young, Darrin Singletary, Jason Fernandez, Michael and Bobby Freedman.