Oscar D. Syfert Iii

After 73 years of service shared with his fellow Las Crucens, Oscar D. Syfert III (a.k.a. Ozzie) decided it was time to send in the clowns. Or, perhaps, they were already here. The words of one of Oscar's few favorite songs spoke to him as his life came to a close Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 at La Posada Mesilla Valley Hospice. His passing comes within the same year of the passing of his wife, Joyce S. Syfert. He died on her birthday, the day after his. It is a birthday he shared with not only his father, but also his grandfather - Oscar D. Syfert, Jr; and Henry Oscar Syfert. respectively. It skipped a generation and was passed to Grandnephew Colin Fisher, also born on a Sept. 16th. It's a distinction that landed the Syferts in the Guiness Book of World Records. Syfert was born in Brookfield, IL. Sept 16, 1935 and grew up in Chicago until he was 13 when the family moved to northern Arkansas. He graduated from Arkansas Polytechnic College, now known as the University of Arkansas at Russellville, and then moved to Las Cruces to work at White Sands Missile Range for 33 years, where he met his wife. But it was his community service that was my dad's hallmark, said his daughter, Sarah Heartsong "Dad also would say that in a circus when someone fell or there was a disaster, they would send in the clowns to raise people's spirits and distract them from the tragedy. Dad clowned for the Shriners, who brighten children's spirits and raising money to help heal them in Shriner and Masonic hospitals," she said. "Being a mason was serious business for dad, and it was the main source of his spirituality. He loved the teachings and how Masonry helps make good men be even better men. He devoted years with thousands and thousands of hours of service to their organizations and his lodge. He served in leadership positions, being a past master of Jornada Lodge twice, and was finally honored with the 33rd degree, which is the highest level of Masonry in Scottish Rite." He was extremely active in Masonry and was not only in the Blue Lodge, Shrine Club and Scottish Rite, but also was active in the Order of the Eastern Star and served as Rainbow Dad for many years in Las Cruces Order of the Rainbows for Girls Chapter 12. He was committed to girls in this community, serving in Girl Scouts as a board director, member of the Heritage Committee and was a life member as well. He was a lifetime member of the Jaycees and was a member of St. Paul's church. Oscar served the community on the Las Cruces Planning and Zoning board for Dona Ana County in 1976 and was named among the Outstanding Young Men of America in 1970. Until his passing, he served as a member of the Board of Directors for White Sands Federal Credit Union. Being a member of the Young Republicans led to a lifelong dedication to the Republican Party. "He was sad that he didn't get to live long enough to put in his ballot as an absentee voter," his daughter, Naomi said. He is survived by his daughters, Naomi Foreman and husband Les of South Jordan, UT.; Sarah Heartsong of Las Cruces, N.M.; sister Lynda Warren and husband Jim of Pine Bluff, AK; sister Elaine McKinney and husband Jim of Las Cruces; and grandchildren Kelsie and Lucas Foreman, and Trianna Valigura. Services will be held on Nov. 8 starting at the Masonic Cemetery at 1 p.m., and going to the Scottish Rite building for memorial service at 2 p.m. Ice cream social to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Scottish Rite Learning Center, P.O. Box 357, 195 E. Boutz Rd., Las Cruces, NM 88005 (575) 523-7171 or the charity of your choice. PDF Printable Version