Oscar Urtiaga 82, formerly from Santa Maria, Calif., passed away peacefully at his home in Mariposa on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017.

Oscar was born on Dec. 28, 1934 in Kerrville, Texas. He moved to San Antonio, Texas where he then married Virginia Flores (Urtiaga). He then traveled to Santa Maria, Calif., in 1962 where he settled to raise his family.

Oscar worked as a contractor/linoleum layer for 60 years. He was an avid member of the Santa Maria gun club.

He was also a member of the famous Santa Maria CB Club handle — (Bandera).

Oscar was a very skillful man when it came to playing the games at the country fairs, he was known as the “deadly dime tosser” where he won numerous amounts of stuffed animals. He donated his winnings to the March of Dimes, Meals on Wheels, senior citizens and handicapped transport programs (S.M.O.O.T.H) Santa Maria of Transportation Helpers.

Oscar was quite the self-taught craftsman with his hands. He was definitely a jack of all trades. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do, make or fix. He enjoyed teaching his family how to shoot, throw knives and all other survival skills. He was a strong mentor to all.

In 1984, he then married Kathleen Turk Urtiaga and both resided in Mariposa where they raised their two sons.

Oscar continued his profession in linoleum laying, opened his business, Yosemite Floor Covering until he retired.

He very much loved to make his family and friends laugh with his many stories. He was definitely the life of every party. His favorite saying was “why you talk.”

Oscar loved children very much. He was so kind-hearted that he would give or do anything for a child just to see them smile. Oscar loved listening to his country music, singing karaoke, painting, photography and giving good advice and wisdom.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his father, Miguel Urtiaga; his mother, Cipriana Hernandez Urtiaga; sister, Helen Medina; brother, Johnny Urtiaga; and son, Bruce Urtiaga.

He is survived by his wife Kathleen Turk Urtiaga; daughters, Donna De La Cruz (Bob), Lori Urtiaga (Billy Bumanglag) and Lisa Villarreal (Fernando); sons, Christopher Turk, Kevin Turk (Emily); brother, Mike Urtiaga Jr. (Gini); sisters, Olga Lopez (Leandro) and Rosie Trojanowski; grandchildren, Mark Nunez, Anthony Nunez, Michael Castillo, Sean Urtiaga, Kaylee Turk and Elizabeth Turk; great-grandchildren, Carissa Castillo, Michael Castillo Jr., Deja Castillo, Savannah Mendoza, Isabella Nunez and Aleena Nunez; and numerous nieces and nephews. Oscar also lovingly raised Austin Garcia and Cynthia Garcia.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to your favorite charity. Arrangements in care of Mariposa Funeral Home, 4981 9th St., Mariposa.

A visitation will be held from 10 a.m to noon Friday, Sept. 29, 2017 with a chapel service to begin at noon at Mariposa Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Mariposa Cemetery.

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