Oscar Hoffmeyer, Jr.

Oscar Hoffmeyer, Jr. March 31, 1924 July 28, 2012 Oscar Hoffmeyer, Jr. passed away Saturday, July 28, 2012. Services will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 2, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Waco with the Dr. Matthew Snowden and Dr. Randall Perry officiating. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:15 a.m., Thursday, August 2, at First Baptist Church Sanctuary. Oscar was born in St. Louis, Missouri, to Gladys Stults Hoffmeyer and Oscar Hoffmeyer, Sr. on March 31, 1924. Upon his retirement from a life-time profession in religious journalism and public relations, a story appeared about Oscar in the Baptist Message, the Baptist publication of Louisiana, with the byline, "Journalist Ends Long Career." So, at the age of 88, Oscar's earthly career has indeed ended and the travel bags, which were always "close at hand," have been lightened for his heavenly journey. Even in retirement, as long as his health permitted, he continued writing brief newspaper notices for meetings of the Senior Kiwanis of Waco and the senior adult ministries of First Baptist Church of Waco, of which he was a long-time member. Oscar reached a lot of people in a 40-year career in Southern Baptist journalism. He also passed on his philosophy of religious journalism to Baptist college students along the way and served as a leading force in Southern Baptist public relations. In the early years, Oscar served as a pioneer in the field of what Southern Baptist public relations was to become since most of the early "promoters" came from other fields. Oscar truly felt "called" to be a professional communicator and stated he did not know why, because the only previous involvement he had with journalism was to throw newspapers as a young boy. That "call" led Oscar to Baylor University where he received a B.A. in journalism/religion; New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he received a Master's degree in religious education; and to East Texas State University in Commerce now Texas A&M Commerce where he received a Master's degree in journalism. While in seminary, he served as copy editor on the state news desk for the New Orleans Times-Picayune newspaper. In 1959, he became director of public relations for the Missouri Baptist Children's Home in St. Louis, Missouri. Seven years later, he joined the Louisiana College faculty/staff in Pineville, Louisiana, as director of news services and chair of the journalism department. In 1969, Oscar left Louisiana College to join the faculty at Baylor University as assistant professor of journalism and director of student publications. In 1974, Oscar returned to Louisiana as associate editor of the Baptist Message, where he served for 10 years before moving to the Louisiana Baptist Convention office as public relations director to serve the State of Louisiana until his retirement in 1989. In the capacity of public relations director, Oscar traveled to almost every hamlet and city in Louisiana as well as to many foreign countries. He often accompanied the Louisiana Disaster Van in helping prepare meals for victims of hurricanes, tornadoes and the horrendous earthquake in Mexico City, writing the stories about the events as they unfolded. He stated that two highlights of his career were his coverage of the Louisiana Baptist partnership effort in Zimbabwe and a trip to China in late May 1989, where he and fellow travelers were asked to take blankets to students at Tiananmen Square, leaving the city a mere three days prior to the student uprising. Oscar demonstrated commitment in serving his church as a deacon and in many capacities in the states of Missouri, Louisiana and Texas. He began teaching Sunday School at a mission in Jefferson City, Missouri, while still a teenager. He authored a history of "Louisiana College 75 Years", as well as a history of the Louisiana Baptist Convention. He wrote articles for numerous publications and was a leader in the Baptist Public Relations Association BPRA, serving as membership vice president and president of that organization. He also chaired a panel on membership services which worked to make the group more efficient and effective. In appreciation for such service, BPRA members voted Oscar a lifetime member in 1989. He was also a Life Member of the Baylor Alumni Association. In retirement, Oscar continued a "writing career" by being actively involved in updating his family's genealogy. He also learned the art of making stained glass, refinishing furniture and was an avid gardener until poor health intervened. He volunteered at Fort House, a museum property of Historic Waco Foundation. He was named to Who's Who in Religion, 1975-77 edition and the Personalities of the South, 1974; Distinguished President of Kiwanis Club of Pineville, Louisiana 1992; Treasurer and annals Editor and George W. Hixson fellow of Kiwanis Club of Waco seniors 2000; and was board member of the Central Texas Genealogy Association 1998-2007. He was named Man of the Year at First Baptist Church Waco in 2007. He was active in Baptist Men's work and served a term as president of St. Louis Baptist Men. Oscar served during World War II in Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet Navy from January 1943 to November 1945, in the South Pacific Theater aboard the destroyer escort USS Eichenberger, DE202 and the light cruiser USS Topeka CL67. Oscar was preceded in death by a sister, Rosemary Brubaker. He is survived by his wife, Chris Schneider Hoffmeyer; his three sons, Michael C and wife, Debbie, of Duncanville, TX, Randal O and wife, Gretchen, of Seattle, Washington, and Timothy Mark and wife, Patti, of Buda, Texas. Also surviving are six grandchildren, Scott Alden Hoffmeyer and wife, Jessica, of North Richland Hills, TX, Lindy Michelle Hoffmeyer Tilger and husband, Cody, of Lewisville, TX, Evan Reid Hoffmeyer and fiance, Rachel Gardner, of Little Rock, Arkansas, Olivia deLaine Hoffmeyer and Hannah Kate Hoffmeyer of Seattle, and Angela Hope Hoffmeyer of Buda; and two great-granddaughters, Bailey Grace Tilger and Zoey Lynn Tilger. Two siblings also survive: Robert Henry Hoffmeyer and wife, Bonnie, of Kansas City, Missouri, and Carolyn Jean Hoffmeyer Bunch and husband, David, of St. Francisville, Louisiana, along with numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are two aunts, Ona Renner and husband, Glenn, of Springfield, Missouri, and Hazel Jones of Athens, TX. Memorials may be made to Senior Kiwanis of Waco, or to First Baptist Church Waco Foundation. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our "Memorial Guestbook" at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY