Donald "Reche” Caldwell Jr. of Tampa passed away Saturday, June 6th, 2020. A Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, June 20th at 12:00 Noon at The Center For Manifestation, 3102 E. Lake Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33610, Apostle Mark T. Jones, Pastor with Reverend Dr. Rayford Harper, Pastor of First Baptist Church of West Tampa, officiating. Entombment will follow in Myrtle Hill Memorial Park.  Please follow the CDC guidelines.

Donald Reche Caldwell, Jr. was born to the loving parentage of Mr. & Mrs. Deborah and Donald Reche Caldwell, Sr. on March 28, 1979, in Tampa Florida. He accepted Christ at an early age. Reche was educated in the Hillsborough County School System and was a graduate of Jefferson High School in 1998. He further matriculated to the University of Florida.

When he attended Jefferson High School, he played not only football but also basketball and baseball. As a junior at Jefferson High School in 1996, he threw for 2,338 yards, and led the Dragons to the Class 5A state semifinal game. He earned the high school All-American honors from Prep Star, and was named the Florida Class 5A Player of the Year. From 1998 to 2001, and he was a three-year letterman.

Reche was drafted straight out of high school by the Cincinnati Reds, MLB in 2002 but he chose to follow his passion and attend the prestigious University of Florida and play college football. At the University of Florida, Reche was a member of the Florida Gators football team under coach Steve Spurrier from 1998-2001. His sophomore year in 2000, he was a part of the UF SEC Champion team, and his junior year, he was an honorable mention All-American and Second Team All-SEC selection. He was also a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award for the nation’s top receiver.

Donald Reche Jr. decided to forego his senior season to enter the 2002 NFL Draft, where he was selected the 48th overall pick in the second round by the San Diego Chargers. He played for the Chargers for the first four seasons of his career. Reche signed with the New England Patriots in 2006. In 2007, he signed with the Washington Redskins. In 2008, he signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Rams. In 71 career games, Reche Caldwell NFL stats read 152 passes caught for 1,851 receiving yards and 11 touchdowns.

Reche was the eldest of two sons. He affectionately called his younger brother André, “Baby Brother” who also was a professional football player in the NFL for nine years. Reche was a doting father to his children. His daughter Recheyla, who he referred to as his “GOAT” and his son Cashmere, as his Bright and Shining Star, “Baby Boy.”

He was preceded in death by: Maternal Grandparents, Deacon Arthur & Mrs. Marise Tolbert; Paternal Grandmother, Mrs. Otha Caldwell; Uncle, William Walker; Aunts, Elaine Caldwell, Debra Maylor, Doris Smith and Joyce Johns.

His Legacy of love will continue through: his children, Daughter, Recheyla Caldwell and Son, Cashmere Caldwell and their Mother Sherron Caldwell; Loving Parents, Deborah and Donald Reche Caldwell, Sr.; Brother, Andre Caldwell and wife Niché Caldwell; Grandfather, William Caldwell; Niece and Nephew, Savannah and Aiden Caldwell; Uncles, Charlie Tolbert, Lorenzo Tolbert and wife Mildred, Arthur Tolbert and wife Sandra, Alton Walker and wife Margaret, William Caldwell III and wife Adriene, Terrance Jenkins and wife Lisa and Harold Smith; Aunts, Martha B. Tolbert, Laverne Barron, Earnestine Riley, Tanya Yates and husband Ronald and Twanda Caldwell; Godson, Alonso Monts III; Special friends, Jennifer Graciano and family, Mr. Jackie Walker and family; Cousins, Tolbert Family, Walker Family, Caldwell Family, Rigsby Family, Morgan Family, Denson Family and Buie Family; Best Friends, Tamarick “Tank” Vanover and Mario Barnett; Extended family, Bailey Family, Miller Family, Childs Family, Maccarone Family, Hines Family, Burke Family and the Department of Juvenile Justice Family (DJJ), our NFL Family, Electcal Family, Cash Family, Malloy Family, Sierra Family, Adams Family, Allen Family, Carr Family, Jenkins Family, Murray Family, Williams Family, Bell-Babineaux Family, Gay Family, Wilson Family, Torian Family and Smith Family; Other close and longtime Family Friends, Currington, “Q”, Black, Bolden, Nichols, Burgess, Britt, Gordon, Palmer, Monroe, Walker, Sheppard, Solomon, Robinson, Whitaker and the whole old Riverfront Park Crew. A host of other family and friends too numerous to mention.

The remains will repose from 5-7:30 pm, Friday, June 19, at The Center For Manifestation, 3102 E. Lake Avenue. We are asking family and friends to follow the CDC guidelines.