Oscar Hinojosa

Oscar Hinojosa passed away peacefully surrounded by love and his beloved five daughters on Monday, December 9, 2024. He was born to Santiago and Francisca Mendez Hinojosa of Staples, Texas in 1939. He graduated from San Marcos High School, then earned his degree in Chemistry from the University of Southwest Texas. In 1963 he moved to New Orleans and began his career as a research physicist for the US Department of Agriculture. It was here, through co-workers, where he met and soon married his devoted wife, Elaine Sellers of Greenville, Alabama. Together they raised five daughters who they loved dearly. Paw Paw, as he was later called by his grandchildren, enjoyed sharing his childhood stories, his insatiable curiosity, and his knack for knowing just what was needed to “fix” anything.

Oscar had an interesting career at the USDA where as a research physicist he worked alongside scientists from around the world. Lifelong friendships were forged as together they worked to invent and improve uses for cotton, peanuts, etc, using X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy and other ground-breaking methods. He would often remark on how his career had come full circle - from working alongside his family as a young boy picking cotton in the fields of Texas, to working with the same raw material in research with highly technical resources. During his retirement, he volunteered with the New Orleans Department of Tourism and soon found himself working as a Spanish-language interpreter.

Throughout 57 years of marriage, Oscar and Elaine were devoted to each other. Together they enjoyed playing Bunco and Trivia, square dancing, trying new restaurants, and supporting and often joining their daughters in endless and varied adventures. After raising their children, they enjoyed many travels with Jane and Peter Baugh (Manchester, Eng.), who had introduced them many years before. Oscar never took his faith or God’s love for granted. Even in his last dying days, he continued to thank God for his blessings. His faith was strengthened through the 45 years he and Elaine shared with their close-knit prayer group, Emmanuel, and their involvement at St. Edward the Confessor Church. Our dad lived by the words of Romans 8:28 and instilled this truth in his daughters and grandchildren. So often he would only need to say just two words, “all things,” and we knew just what he meant.

Despite, or perhaps because of, his humble childhood, you could count on him to be very generous with his time, money, and words of wisdom. Dad was always there when we needed him, no questions asked. Though he is already incredibly missed, his legacy will live on through all who knew Mr. Oscar.

Oscar Hinojosa was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Elaine Sellers Hinojosa, his brother Joseph Hinojosa (Mary), and sisters Sarah Villanueva (Robert), Beatrice Velasquez (Modesto), Mary Rocha, Guadalupe Castilleja (Narciso), Alice Hinojosa, and Janie Cosio. He is survived by four siblings, Santiago “Jimmy” Hinojosa (Alice), Jesus “Chuy” Hinojosa (Lisa), Paul Hinojosa, and Gloria Scheuber (Scott); his daughters: Anita Montero (Chris), Adelita Greeson (James), Julia Ham (Rodney), Sylvia McIntosh (Max) and Rebecca Hinojosa (Brent); grandchildren Zachary, Declan, Ava, Mason, Raleigh, Jackson, Jamie, Lizzie and Jessica; countless adored cousins, nieces and nephews.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate his life with mass on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 4921 W. Metairie Ave, Metairie, Louisiana, at 1:00 p.m. Visitation will begin at 12:00 until mass time. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New Orleans City Park Conservancy online at www.neworleanscitypark.org or #1 Palm Drive, New Orleans, LA 70124. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com.