Oscar Depre Wiseman
April 23, 1934 – April 28, 2022
Oscar Depre (Big O) Wiseman died in San Francisco, CA., at the age of 88 due to dementia. Born in El Dorado, Arkansas to ED Wiseman and Leona Née Davis Wiseman. Oscar was preceded in death by parents, older brother Clarence Wiseman, sisters May Delle Crisp, Mable Rea Wiseman, Ninevad Williams, and younger brother Robert Lee Wiseman.
The family originated in El Dorado, Arkansas. With an offer of employment in San Francisco, CA., (1943) ED and Leona packed up the family and headed west to California.
Oscar was the third of seven children and was fiercely independent since birth. He attended San Francisco public schools and graduated from Mission High School. Oscar attended San Francisco City College and obtained his certificate as a certified auto mechanic. He went on to establish a cleaning business for downtown offices in San Francisco. Once given a lease on a Union 76 Gas Station on Golden Gate Ave and Webster Street in SF. Ca., (1960-1976), he became a pillar within the Fillmore Community. The gas station became a family affair of laughter and hard work every weekend. The Big O became an established figure within the Fillmore Community. The Pink Palace, Smacks Diner, El Bethel & Second Union Baptist Church members, and staff at The Sunday Reporter, all utilized his mechanical expertise. The man could fix an automobile.
Oscar excellent at baseball in high school, never putting down his catcher’s glove. Oscar turned down an opportunity to play professional minor league baseball in order to stay local to provide and care for his young family. Still, he never let go of his love and devotion for baseball and played several years in the Negro Semi-Professional League in Northern California. The team and their families would travel throughout Northern California for regular-season games, tournaments, and playoff competitions.
Oscar was inducted into the United States Army and stationed in Alaska. He played baseball for the Army and he was an excellent shortstop. Oscar also received numerous certificates in the military for auto mechanics. His wish was to return to Alaska and see the countryside again. Unfortunately, he was not able to follow through.
When redevelopment took over and destroyed businesses and housing within the Fillmore community, Oscar’s gas station was also placed on the chopping block.
Wiseman’s Moving Company came about and was instrumental in placing all new appliances into the newly developed low-income housing within the Western Addition Community. Wiseman’s Moving Company closed its doors in 1990.
Oscar retired to his home on Gilman Avenue in San Francisco, CA., finding pleasure in long drives seeing the state of California.
Oscar Depre Wiseman was blessed with five children, Cynthia Wiseman-Kelly, Denise Thompson, Renna Neely, Christopher Wiseman, Oscar Wiseman Jr., and stepchildren Alonzo Bennett and Elisa Simone VanBuren. He has 11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind his brother General Grant Wiseman, of San Francisco, CA., and a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
A more traditional memorial service to celebrate his life will be held when Covid 19 subsides and larger events are safe again.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle on May 25, 2022.

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