Edward Kampermann

Edward (Ed) Kampermann, Jr., passed away on December 1, 2025, following a brief illness. He was 89 years old.

Ed was born on July 25, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, to Edward Kamperman and Helen (Connally) Kamperman. He attended both primary and secondary school in Brooklyn. Upon his graduation from high school in 1954, he joined the U.S. Marine Corp, where he served honorably until 1957. In 1958 he began what would become a long career in elevator construction and maintenance. As a member of Local 1 International Union of Elevator Constructors, he worked on some of the most notable buildings in New York City and the surrounding area.

In 1973 Ed married JoMarie Smid. They lived in the Middle Village area of Queens, New York, for many years, eventually relocating to the Queens community of Howard Beach. Ed retired from the elevator business in 2001. He became involved with civic and community groups and wrote frequently for the local newsletter, The Juniper Berry. Ed was keenly interested in many topics including writing, politics, philosophy, and history. His research of his immigrant roots led him to change the spelling of his last name to include the extra “n” at the end, a decision that inspired his oldest son Raymond to do the same.

In 2018, Ed and JoMarie relocated to Hewitt, Texas, to be closer to family. Ed attended St. Jerome’s Catholic Church regularly. He also soon established himself as a fixture at the local Cracker Barrel restaurant, where he dined every day, twice a day. Known as “Mr. Eddie,” he became part of a small community comprised of the other patrons and the wait staff, managers, and storefront staff.

To say that Ed had a colorful personality would be an understatement. He held tight to his beliefs and opinions and was not afraid to share them. An extrovert, he could carry on a conversation with just about anyone and often did. His wry sense of humor and love of words led him to coin many original sayings that the family refer to as “Ed-isms,” which will no doubt continue to be included in family conversations.

Ed was preceded in death by his parents and by his sister Dolores (Kamperman) Borger. He is survived by his brother William Kamperman and his wife Judy of Cohasset, Massachusetts, and by his former wife and the mother of his three sons, Carol Kamperman-Smith of Waco, Texas. Other survivors include his children Raymond Kampermann of Waco; Michael Kamperman and his wife Carrolle, also of Waco; and Kevin Kamperman and his wife Robin of Austin, Texas. He is also survived by his grandchildren Katie Talbert and her husband Walker of Waco; Sean Kamperman and his wife Colleen Morrissey of Lawrence, Kansas; Amanda Kampermann of Waco; and Jacob Kamperman of Austin; by his three great-grandchildren, Lucy Talbert, Caroline Talbert, and Nora Kamperman; and by many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend special thanks to the loving and devoted memory care staff of The Blake of Waco assisted living facility.