Oscar Litz

Oscar Litz passed away peacefully on November 25, 2016, at the age of 83 in Mill Creek, Washington.  He was born on June 13, 1933, to Johannes and Elisabetha Litz in Friedenstal, Romania.

Oscar was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  Oscar was preceded in death by his wife, Hermine.  He is survived by his two sons, James and John; nine grandchildren (Rebekka, Kathryn, Ashley, Samantha, Timothy, Anneliese, Jennifer, Allison and Tiffany); seven great-grandchildren (Vespacian, Ulysses, Hadrian, Julian, Daisy, Barrett, and Colby); brothers Edwin and Hugo; and sisters Martha and Elvire.

Oscar grew up in Northern Germany during a period of war and poverty and

Hermine and Oscar

immigrated to live with relatives in South Dakota when he was 15.  He joined the U.S. Air Force and was fortunate enough to be stationed back in Germany where he met and married the love of his life, Hermine, and had their first son, James.  While in the Air Force he earned his nursing degree and moved to California, beginning his career at San Joaquin County Hospital as an emergency room nurse.  Their second son, John, was born in 1962.  Oscar later transferred to St. Joseph’s Hospital in Stockton as a surgical nurse, retiring in 1995.  When Hermine passed away in 2013, Oscar moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Mill Creek, Washington, close to James and his family.

Oscar had a passion for soccer, enjoyed woodworking and gardening.  He built youth soccer programs in Stockton, California, including the first girls’ program.  Oscar enjoyed playing, refereeing, and coaching, including a 3-yr stint coaching the University of the Pacific (UOP) Men’s Team.  A stroke at age 64 ended many of his recreational activities, but he continued to enjoy watching soccer on TV and spending time with family and friends.

Oscar will be deeply missed but never forgotten.  A celebration of Oscar’s life will be held at 2pm on December 18, 2016, at Brookdale Senior Living in Mill Creek.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation on Oscar’s behalf to your favorite charity, or Stockton Youth Soccer Association, PO Box 690891, Stockton, CA, 95269.