Orealous Caldwell Jr.

Orealous Caldwell Jr. was born in Cleveland, Ohio on June 11th, 1950.  He was
the youngest of two children born to Orealous Caldwell and Essie Lee Echols –
Caldwell.  His oldest sister Oina preceded him in death.  Orealous
accepted Christ at Liberty Hill at an early age, and he served as a junior
usher board member.  Later he joined Mt. Olive Missionary Baptist Church
on E. 126th.

After his mother and father died, Orealous lived with his grandmother Ella B. Reed, whom many knew
as Honey.  After she passed away, he went to live with his Uncle Lou and
Aunt Carrie Echols and their two children Lieutenant Jr. and Aaron.  They
were raised as brothers.

Here is where Orealous gained a tremendous sense of fashion as well as musical
intelligence.  His brother Lieutenant played the piano and guitar, while
Aaron played the drums.  Orealous learned how to play the bass guitar from
his brother Lieutenant , and found music to be fun and fulfilling. Orealous
didn’t learn how to read music, but if you played a song, he could remarkably
play it back.  Once he got the hang of playing the bass guitar, the
brothers realized they had a band.  The band was so good, that they were
asked to be a part of the house band at East Tech for all the talent
shows.  

After graduating from East Technical High School, of the three boys, Orealous was the only one who
was drafted into the US Army for the Vietnam War.  He served some time,
and was later honorably discharged.  Orealous came back to help with his
uncle’s business, Echol’s Poultry Fish & Egg Company which was located at
8214 Quincy Avenue.  

Orealous was married to Linda Little Caldwell.  This marriage was blessed with two
children:  Rashied and Chauna.  Because he had a family he knew he
needed more income, so he became an ironworker. Iron workers -  Local 17
along with his friend John Moore.  Though he liked being a part of
history, as he helped build and sculpt parts of Cleveland… He was able to work
on skyscrapers and even the I-480 bridge, but being an ironworker is hard and
dangerous work.   He planted seeds to retire early, and achieved that goal
at an early age. He started investing in real estate.  He learned on his
own, and made it a success to raise his family.

Family was everything to him, as he lost his mom and dad at such an early age.  

In 1998 he married his childhood friend Beverly McGuinea. 

He departed this life on Thursday, the evening of February 11, 2021.

He leaves to mourn his wife Beverly, son Orealous Rashied (Tiffiany) Caldwell, and daughter Chauna
(Phillip)Tubbs, stepdaughter Chrishaun McGuinea - Smith, neice/daughter Tawanda
Demmings, nephew/son William Demmings, great nephew/son Jawaan (Regina)
Mckenzie, and Neice/daughter Paris Howard.  Brothers Lieutenant (Brenda)
Echols, and Aaron (Regina) Echols.  Also 5 grandchildren:  Jayla,
Emonie, Deishar, Layla, and Rylee, and a host of family and friends.

Orealous was always happy to see family. Be it a wedding, or a birthday, Be it a bbq, or just to
talk, If it was a homegoing he was there. And of course the family reunions
were a MUST.  Orealous loved cars, dressing nicely, playing and listening
to music, shooting pool, and working on his properties.  Most of all he
loved spending time and gathering with his family.  He loved traveling,
and living his best life.  This is something we can all take from him.
Live your best life, and love your family.

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