Oscar Joseph Niswonger
Oscar Joseph “O. J.” Niswonger, 89, a longtime resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico, died in
Albuquerque on November 27, 2024.
O. J. was born June 21, 1935 in Corning, Clay Co., Arkansas, the son of Joseph Oscar
“J.O.” and Edna (Lorey) Niswonger. O.J.’s two older sisters, Nettie Mae Noble and Betty Jo
Eaton, both preceded him in death, along with his parents.
O. J. grew up in Parma, Missouri, and then earned a geology degree at the University of
Missouri - Columbia. After college, he joined the Army and served in Fort Benning, Georgia.
After his discharge, he worked in construction for a few years before starting his career with
Chevron/Texaco Oil. He worked for Chevron/Texaco for 32 years, in Houston, San Francisco,
and Los Angeles. O.J retired in 1997, and moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Since 1998 O.J. worked with several local organizations including being on the Board of Directors
for Kitchen Angels and volunteering extensively in the area. The arts brought O.J. to Santa Fe and
he greatly enjoyed photography, painting, and Indian art history.
O.J. leaves his special friend, Shirley Battey, in addition to his close neighbor, Victoria Espana, and
many other friends, nieces and nephews.
Per O.J.'s wishes, there will be no funeral service or memorial. He was cremated and has been
laid to rest in the Santa Fe National Cemetery. O.J. will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved
him. He had many good friends in Santa Fe over the years so the family wanted to share the news of his death.