Oscar J McKelvin was born August 8, 1952, to the late Oscar Sr. and Minnie Gardner McKelvin in Washington DC. He departed this life, after a short illness, at the Washington Hospital Center on February 14, 2025.

Oscar was educated in the District of Columbia public school system. While attending Paul Jr. High School Oscar was talented basketball player. He also played basketball at Fort Steven’s Recreation Center. However, his main athletic gift was football. Oscar played as one of Calvin Coolidge High School’s All Inter-High’s star running backs. After high school, he was awarded a scholarship to play football at Mesa College in Phoenix, Arizona.

After college Oscar received his Commercial Driver’s License and work for many years as a driver for I. Feldman and Co. Food distributers. He also worked with Pop Foster and Sam Wells, pouring cement for patios, driveways and sidewalks throughout the DMV. He went on to do cement work for himself. He was also a gifted painter. He has painted in most of his childhood friend homes as well as their parent’s homes.

On April 18, 1987, Oscar married Cynthia Stringfield. From this union no children were born, however, he helped raise her daughter and two nephews. They divorced in 1999, but remained close friends.

Genuine, selfless, kind, welcoming, caring, thoughtful are just a few of the many things that could be said about Oscar. He was well liked by everyone. You could often see him at Coolidge’s homecomings, tailgates, reunions and parties. His cooking was right up there with accomplished chefs. His collared greens, macaroni and cheese and fried potatoes were great. That being said Oscar loved to eat. He did not miss many family gatherings, and was always first in line to get a plate.

Oscar leaves to cherish his memory two sisters, Sheila Palmer, Penny McKelvin-Toney (Willie); one brother Harold McKelvin; three nephews, Brian Palmer,

Harold McKelvin Jr., Brandon Davis; one niece Shirlynn Kinney (Alonso); one great nephew, Jahari Kinney Jr.; a cousin Shelly Gardner (Karen) and one great cousin Skylar and a host of other family members. He had a group of childhood friends and former teammates that remained closely connected throughout the years