Elmer M. Young

Elmer Milton Young, known as “Rusty,” was born in Miami, Florida, on November 20, 1925. (1) During World War II, Young served in the U.S. Navy as a recruiter. (2)  He earned a degree in Art History from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Bright’s School of Floral Design (later renamed the American Floral Arts School) in Chicago. (3) After graduation, Young worked at Buckingham Florist in Arlington, Virginia, and performed freelance floral work in several cities. (4)   

In 1953, Young was hired at the White House. (5) Young’s responsibilities included making flower arrangements for the private and public areas of the White House and decorating for social events there, such as State Dinners, luncheons, and weddings. He also sent and received floral arrangements on behalf of the first family and created memorial wreaths for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the gravesites of deceased presidents.

In 1961, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy appointed Young the first chief floral designer at the White House, placing him in charge of the other florists on staff. On the day of Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, Young and fellow florist James D. Nelson “worked all through the night” to prepare the floral arrangements for Kennedy’s laying-in-repose in the East Room. Young also decorated St. Matthew’s Cathedral for the funeral mass two days later. (6) 

Young remained the chief floral designer until he retired in 1981. He credited his career’s longevity in part to his “ability to conform to the style of flower arranging desired by each of the president’s wives.” (7) He noted that First Lady Mamie Eisenhower preferred monochromatic arrangements, whereas Jacqueline Kennedy asked for more complex arrangements that looked “like an informal garden.” (8) The Carters wanted Young to simplify his floral decorating to save money, while Betty Ford encouraged him to add elements of “American arts and handicrafts” to his arrangements. (9) Young stated that he worked well with each first family, but that the Johnsons were “the most appreciative.” (10) 

Once retired, Young moved to Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was a member of the local United Methodist Church. He was also a member of multiple florist and horticulturalist societies and received several awards for his floral design, including the Golden Rose Award from the Florists Transword Delivery (later named the Retail Florists' Association). (10) Elmer Young passed away on December 19, 1994, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. (11)