Obituary
Oscar Taylor Gensaw, Jr. was born July 3, 1959 at Seaside Hospital in Crescent City, California and passed away on November 8, 2012. He was a lifelong resident of Del Norte County.
He was preceded in death by his mother, father and two brothers, a sister and special friend Katherine Teachout. Oscar came from the Yurok Village of Rekwoy and was very proud of his native culture, one of seven brothers and sisters. He was an enrolled Yurok Tribal Member and of Tolowa, Karuk, Chetco, and Rogue River descent. He graduated from Del Norte High School in 1976.
Oscar had recently celebrated 21 years of sobriety and was a dedicated member of AA, he loved attending meetings and being a speaker, sponsoring and meeting new friends. He especially felt his contribution in helping in the Institutions, providing encouragement to those who entered programs like Jordan Recovery Center.
Oscar was a contributor to the Sobriety by the Sea events. In 1995 he met the love of his life Holly, who was his rock. They both had a strong belief in redemption and forgiveness. Their loving unity of marriage on the Klamath River brought strength out of turmoil. Their daughter Kitty's birth made the family bonds grow and together she and her sister Katrina and Oscar's children Oscar III, James and Shoshoni made five. As the family grew, you would find Oscar watching his NASCAR, #3 Dale Earnheart was his all time favorite and later, Dale Jr. He also enjoyed fishing, making jewelry, picking berries and attending ceremonies, but his passion was his family. His children Oscar III & Georgiana Gensaw, James Gensaw, Katrina & Jake Ramos, Shoshoni & David Hostler and Kitty Dancing Wind Gensaw. Oscar is the proud grandpa to Thayallen, Sofia, James Jr., Tescha, Jacob, David, Chey-go-o-nep, Jaxon, Olivia and Oscar IV. He had several nieces and nephews who he held very near his heart and his dear friend Rex.
Oscar helped build Lucky Seven Casino, and was extremely proud of the stone wall fence. He was a jokester and could make people laugh. Everywhere he went he saw an old friend and every new person he met became a friend. Oscar never missed a funeral or memorial service if he could help it. He was generous to all and visited the old and sick. He was willing to help anyone at anytime; he would give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. You rarely saw him without a walking stick and pack of jars, picking berries in season. Spending time with family and friends was his favorite past time.
Pallbearers will be brother Cecil Charles, Frank Gist Jr., Oscar Gensaw III, James Gensaw, Jake Ramos, and David Hostler IV. Honorary Pallbearers Stacey Charles, Amos Albers, David Gensaw Sr., Brenden Gensaw, Tom Brundin, Harold Campbell Sr., Arthur Jones, Jasper Gensaw, Joseph Gensaw Jr., Elmer Thorton, Joe Pitt Sr., Chris Peters, Carole Gensaw, Tom Sitting Down, Abraham Sitting Down, Sam Gensaw Sr., Tim Dean, Dutch Dremann, Brian Tripp, Char lie Burns, Merkie Oliver, Corky Simms, Larry Nova, Robert Donahue, Rodney Vigil, Norman Lewis Jr., Loren Bommelyn, Tony Risling, Dave Severns, Joe Giovanetti, Spam Ferris, Dan Harrision, Michael Pennie, Sam Albers, Clarence Hostler Sr., Ben Shorty, Frankie Myers, Lyle Marshall, Zeke Van Pelt, Deacon Ferris, Sylvester Brown. Oscar was loved by so many people and he never met a stranger. If we forgot to mention you, we apologize, know that Oscar thought of you fondly. His big heart and smile will live on in those who cherished him.
Visitation will be held at Wiers Mortuary Chapel on Monday, November 12th at 9:30 am with Funeral services starting at noon. Interment will follow at the Howonquet Indian Cemetery in Smith River.