Obituary of John Eddie MCCalister
John Eddie MCCalister Jr “ Jr MCCalister” earned his heavenly wings on February 22, 2023, surrounded by his loving wife and children. He was born on July 21, 1938, in Heth, Arkansas to John L. and Earnestine (Parker) McCalister. He grew up in Hughes Arkansas under the watchful eye of his grandparents where he attended Hughes High School, and excelled at baseball and math. John moved to Chicago, Illinois in 1956 where he met the love of his life, the former Evaline McIntosh. John and Evaline married on June 11, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois. In 1971 John and Evaline moved to Monroe, Michigan to raise their family where he worked at the Monroe Ford Motor Company plant as a Hi-Lo Driver until his retirement on January 2, 2000, and was an active member of UAW local #723.
John was a natural born athlete and was invited to attend baseball camp by a recruiter for the St. Louis Cardinals. He enjoyed watching professional baseball and football, and attended many college and professional football and baseball games with his son Dereiq. John was an avid bowler, and participated in bowlings leagues at both the Monroe Sports Center and Nortel Lanes where he won many trophies and awards, and was quite proud of his nearly perfect game of 299.
As a member of “the Gypsy Angels” Motorcycle club, John enjoyed riding and traveling on his motorcycle throughout Michigan and Ohio.
Above anything, John loved his family, and was especially fond of the many trips he took with them exploring the United States. John’s bucket list was to visit all fifty states.
As a man of faith, John was an active member of Monroe Full Gospel Church where he enjoyed listening to Senior Pastor Harold Raines preach the gospel on Sunday mornings.
John Eddie MCCalister, age 84, of Laveen, Arizona formerly of Monroe, MI passed away peacefully on February 22, 2023 at Banner Medical Center in Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother: James McAlister.
He leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife of sixty-two years: Evaline; seven children: Gregory McCalister, Dereiq McCalister (LaRhonda Jackson), Audrey Freeman, Bryant McCalister (Claudenice Braga-McCalister), John (Margaret) McCalister, Michael McCalister, and Me’Shell McCalister; a special daughter-in-law: Angela McCalister; a sister: Floratta Johnson; a brother: Henry Edwards; eleven grandchildren: Tiffany, Paschal, Armond, Taaje, Dereiq, Indiya, Bryant Jr, Paisley, Alexandre, Dakota, and Bishop; one great granddaughter: Kadence Kelly; two brother in-laws Jessie (Calton) McIntosh, Carl (Debra) Mcintosh, and a host of nieces and nephews.
Friends may gather at 10:00am on Monday; March 6, 2023, at Monroe Full Gospel Church, 5337 East Albain Road, Monroe, Michigan 48161. A Homegoing Celebration, led by Pastor Harold Raines, will follow at 11:00 am also at the church. John’s care has been entrusted to Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway, Monroe, Michigan 48161 (734) 241-7070. Cremation will follow through the on-site crematory, Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan.
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