Oscar Alvarado

Oscar Luis Alvarado of Big Wells, Texas, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, March 4th 2020 with his loving wife, Melinda Alvarado, by his side. He defied the odds and amazed us all. In his final days, he was surrounded by the love of his family and the grace of God.

Oscar was born in Crystal City, Texas to Maria Concepcion Villarreal and Oscar Santos Alvarado, on May 18th, 1963.  He was a graduate of Carrizo Springs High School. He was married to Melinda Quiroz, the love of his life, also of Big Wells, for 32 years.  Twenty four years ago, Oscar moved his young family to Watertown, Wisconsin, and it became their new home.

However, Big Wells was always in his heart and it was his fondest wish to be laid to eternal rest where his earliest memories were made.

Oscar is preceded in death by his father Oscar Santos Alvarado, his brother Hector Alvarado, his grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Oscar is survived by his wife Melinda; his daughter, April Yvette Alvarado; his son, Jeremy Alexander Alvarado; his mother, Maria (Concha) Alvarado, his sisters, Imelda (Eloy) Chapa & Crisela Escobedo; his nephews, Brandon, Marco, & Joseph; his niece Briana; and countless other loved ones.

To know Oscar was to love him. He had an energy that could truly light up a room. Much like his father, he had a generous heart and was always willing to help friends or family out with anything they needed. Easy going, quick to forgive, fun-loving, and outside-the-box; all words used to describe Oscar by those who knew and loved him.

It was with a heavy heart that he retired from his long-time employment in November of 2019, where he had made countless friends and connections throughout his career.  He was determined to work as long as he was able to and he did just that. Oscar’s medical team commented time and again on how strong hearted and tenacious he was till the very end. This was a direct reflection of how Oscar lived his life- shock full of life in every moment possible.

Oscar filled his free time doing those things he enjoyed the most.  Always on the lookout for his next fix-it-up/refurbishing project, competing with his friends on the disc golf course, or cheering on his favorite MMA fighter with his wife, he was always on a mission to make new cherished memories.

Guitar in hand, amp turned all the way up, head-banging, singing at the top of his lungs, big smile on his face - this was just Oscar in his natural element. Instead of lullabies, his children knew the lyrics to all the Metallica, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, and countless other Rock bands.  Jam sessions with his friends or on his own were epic. Acoustic guitar or electric guitar, Oscar brought the music to life like the rock star that he was. The size of the audience did not matter, rather the buddies at his side or those cheering him on did. His family and dear friends will forever miss him and the music that was such a big part of him.

Oscar will be remembered and loved forever as a son, brother, husband, father, friend, and larger-than-life personality. His family will miss him beyond words. Though he has left this realm, we find peace and comfort knowing that he will forever live on through the memories his family and friends will hold near. We know he will be watching over us. Know that if you hear a rumble in the distance, you see a flash of light shoot across the sky, Oscar is jamming up above, with his amp up to the maximum volume.

Oscar's family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to Angel's Grace Hospice; the care they provided Oscar in his final days was outstanding and his family is forever grateful. They would also like to extend their appreciation to Oscar's friends here in Wisconsin. Specifically: Brian and Jeff Gerstner, John Heese, and Mr. Boots - they not only were good friends to Oscar for years, they also were calling and visiting Oscar in his final months and days of his life. True friends to the end and beyond.

Upon listening to some of his favorite songs, these lyrics stood out to us, as something Oscar would say to his loved ones as his parting words: “Mark my words, believe my soul lives on. Don’t worry now that I have gone. I’ve gone beyond to seek the truth.” - Hallowed Be Thy Name, Iron Maiden

Visitation was held on Monday, March 9th Leonard Funeral Home in Carrizo Springs, Texas. Church service and Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, March 10th at St. Michael’s in Big Wells, Texas. A celebration of Oscar's life will be held at a later date in Watertown, Wisconsin.