Oscar Fredrick Meza

On Tuesday May 30 at 2:00 p.m. a Mass in Oscar’s honor will be celebrated at Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church 22508 Copper Hill Dr Santa Clarita CA 91350

A memorial service to celebrate Oscar’s life will be held on Wednesday May 31, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary, followed by graveside service at 11:00.

Address for memorial service: 23287 N. Sierra Highway Newhall, CA 91321

Immediately following the graveside service, family and friends are invited to a reception at the home of Oscar, Jr and Dede.

Address for reception: 10801 Foothill Blvd Lake View Terrace CA 91342

Oscar was born in El Centro and raised in Calexico, the son of Fred and Mildred Meza. He attended Calexico Union High School, where he played football and performed in the marching band. After school, he joined the United States Marine Corps and served during the Korean conflict. Through the GI Bill, he attended junior college then went on to UCLA majoring in Philosophy.

In 1955, he married Maria Dolores Tiznado, and they had four children: Oscar, Bobby, Annaliza, and Cecilia, all born in Calexico. The family moved from there to Orange County, as Oscar began pursuing his dream of a career in music, and later settled in Sylmar.

As a bassist, he performed with a wide range of musicians covering multiple genres -- jazz, Latin, rock, popular music. Among the impressive names he worked with were Roger Williams, Eddie Cano, Tito Puente, Julio Iglesias, Celia Cruz, Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra, the Rolling Stones, Claire Fischer, Poncho Sanchez, and also performed with Linda Ronstadt at George Lucas's ranch.

His musical work also encompassed motion pictures, most notably "Jaws", "Dirty Dancing", "Little Nikita", and "The Mambo Kings".

He played bass for Rudy Regalado's Latin-jazz orchestra Chévere, and they recorded a number of works together including the album "La Gloria", released in 1994 on the Discos Dos Coronas record label. Oscar composed six of the album's twelve songs. Many of those songs were featured in music and television throughout the Spanish-speaking world, such as Oscar's composition "Lo Que Fue Machito".

In 1991, Oscar was honored by the Los Angeles Jazz Society with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to Latin and jazz music. He was praised throughout his career for his singular talent, commitment to his craft, and the passion he infused into his work. The complexity of his musical compositions reflected this talent and passion, and are a thrill to listen to even today.

In addition to his music, Oscar loved football, being a devoted fan of the Los Angeles Rams, and was also an avid golfer. His children and grandchildren especially recall his interest in television programs and documentaries on aliens and UFOs.

Health issues sadly brought Oscar's music career to an end in the 1990s, but in retirement he was able to spend time with his wife Lola and being a beloved Papa to his growing number of grandchildren. During the 1990s he and Lola resided in Palmdale, then lived for a decade in Stallion Springs and finally moved to Santa Clarita. Among the highlights of these later years were the celebrations of his and Lola's golden wedding anniversary in 2005 and their diamond anniversary in 2015. Family reunions, parties, holidays, and dinners were always a source of joy for Oscar, who loved to be surrounded by his family.

Oscar passed away peacefully at his home in Santa Clarita on April 22, 2023, in the loving presence of his family. He is survived by Lola (Dolores), his beloved wife of 67 years; their children, Oscar Meza (Diane), Bobby Meza (Rosa), and Liza Schubert (Jay); his eleven grandchildren: Stephanie Whitehead, Mark Lynn, Sara Cantrell (Eddie), Peter Lynn (Jasmine), Michael Meza, Katie Meza, Kurtis Carmean (Dayna), Erica Meza-Torres (Carlos), Taylor Schubert, Ryan Schubert, and Amanda Hall (Steve); and seven great-grandchildren: Day, Sophia, Zac, Colin, Austin, Sebastian, and Nora. In heaven, he has joined his beloved daughter, Ceci, as well as his parents and his brothers, Richie and Freddie.

His family will miss his humor, especially his various sayings and quotes (“Jiminy Crickets!”, “Aaaants?”, “Byeee byeee”, “See you in the funny papers”), and will cherish his memory and the extraordinary musical legacy he leaves behind.