It is with heavy hearts that we announce the loss of our husband, dad and grandpa, Oscar "Chich" DeCespedes Fraga on November 11, 2024. Better known and loved as Chich or Papa Oscar, he was born on November 21, 1956.

Oscar is survived by his wife DeeDee Fraga, his daughters Kristin Sierra (Diego Sierra), Kari Schoening (Josh Schoening), Emily Fraga, Carly Bradley (David Bradley). He was the proud grandpa of Calin, Mya, Palmer, Gabriela, Diego, Julian, Eva, and Camila. He was preceded in death by his mother, Gladys Caridad Fraga; father, Juan Hector DeCespedes; his brother Rolando Venta Fraga and his infant son, Oscar Alberto Fraga Jr.

A Celebration of Life for Oscar will be held on November 21, 2024, at 2:30 PM at Christ’s Church Federal Way, where he was a devoted attendee and volunteer. All his friends and extended family are welcome to come and celebrate his life with us. There will be a reception to follow the service. 

Oscar was a one-of-a-kind guy, a true original. He had a taste for the rich flavors of life, enjoying homemade Cuban food, fresh sour dough bread, milk chocolate and Swedish fish, washing them down with Coca-Cola or ice-cold water. He found wisdom in the pages of his favorite book, the Bible, reading it every day, memorizing and reciting entire chapters. He could always be found pouring over his books. He had a large personal library full of books on philosophy, scripture commentaries, ancient history and natural health. But his serious, studious side was outshined by his fun side. He was full of personality; he was the most fun dad and grandpa and was the life of every party. One the joys of his life was music. He loved driving with the top down and the music up. He loved blasting music for his family to dance and sing to, and above all: a good karaoke party. His musical palette was diverse, with his favorites including The Beatles, Tears for Fears, The BeeGees, Depeche Mode, MilliVanilli, Sade, The Eagles, Willie Chirino, Barry Manilow, 4PM and Kylie Minogue.

He admired God's creation daily, studying the night sky and taking in the scenes of nature for its raw and unscripted beauty. He loved to share his knowledge on what he had learned about the world with his family. His favorite films included It's a Wonderful Life, The Mask, The original Star Wars Trilogy, and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. He found joy in playing Parcheesi and the Nerts card game, and in reading, studying, daily walking, spending time with his grandchildren, and visits to the waterfront, parks, and walking trails. Oscar stayed active by walking, lifting weights, and playing racquetball, and loved vacationing in Montana with family. 

Born in Havana Cuba, while the country was on the precipice of a communist takeover, young "Chich" endured the hardships of loss, military school and political unrest, while at the same time he had fond memories of the food, fresh fruit, joyful music and cultural vibrancy of growing up on a tropical island. This experience shaped him in foundational ways. By the hand of God, along with his mother Gladys and three brothers Carlos, Rolando and Raul, he was able to receive refugee status and immigrate to America in 1968. Oscar loved America, his new home.  He considered it to be the land of opportunity and of freedom. Having been limited to the books he could read and the information that was restricted to under the communist regime, he started consuming any book he could get his hands on.  He had a particular fondness for the great mysteries of life and humanity. He continued this daily habit until the last days of life, reading and discussing his knowledge constantly with his loved ones. 

Among his greatest lessons for us to carry forward are his love for the Lord, the importance of continuous learning and reading, the need to have fun and "live a little" by enjoying life's small pleasures like music and good food. He also exemplified a true, critical thinker, not afraid to put any idea to the test, to question everything and everyone, to challenge the status quo while valuing individual autonomy and God-given liberties.

Significant among his accomplishments was raising his four daughters, his marriage of 47 years to DeeDee, proudly becoming a US citizen, and earning his Bachelor of Science in Religious Studies later in life. Oscar's legacy is one of love for his family, serving in the church, aiding those in need, his fighter's spirit, and unwavering pursuit of his goals. To all who knew him, Oscar was child at heart, a man dedicated to growth and lifelong learning and a warrior for his strongly held faith.

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