By Catherine Pugh
Special to the AFRO
Rodney Orange Sr., born Aug. 23, 1942, passed away suddenly Feb. 15, 2024.
“He had health challenges,” said his wife of 63 years, Catherine Orange, “but this was not expected.”
A graduate of Douglass High School, Orange was a notable member of the class of 1960.
“He was a star quarterback that graduated with honors,” said Catherine Orange.
Orange also served in the Marine Corps for four years and received an honorable discharge, in 1964, as a sergeant. In 1976, Rodney Orange earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science from Morgan State University.
“Rodney was a good friend, a fearless soldier and confidant who I trusted and worked with on countless issues. He loved Baltimore and Baltimore loved him,” said U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-07).
When Mfume went on to pursue a political career, Orange would often sit-in as the host of “Two-Way-Talk,” a program that Mfume created and hosted as program director of WEAA-Radio.
“Rodney was a quiet giant and not boastful. He always spoke in terms of ‘we’ and ‘us’…never ‘I,’” said former Maryland State Senator Larry Young.
Orange served as president of the NAACP’s Baltimore Branch from 1993 to 1998. He stepped down in 1998 to run in a field of seven for a seat in the 44th district for the Maryland House of Delegates.
“His passing,” said Mfume, “reminds us that there are not many from the old school left, who would run with the baton until it was their turn to pass it on. He did his part in the struggle, to make it easier for those who would step up today.”
Final arrangements for Rodney Orange Sr. will be held by Wiley Funeral Homes, with a funeral taking place on March 5 at City Temple Baptist Church, in Baltimore. A wake will be held at 10 a.m. at the church, located in the 300 block of Dolphin St., with a funeral service starting at 10:30 a.m.
“He’s going to be missed by us all– especially our neighbors who, whenever they wanted to know something about politics, sought him out,” said Catherine Orange. “He kept up with all of it.”
Rodney and Catherine Orange had five sons, with Dana Kenneth Orange and Rodney Jr. preceding him in death. He is survived by three other sons, Tracey, Rickey and Chris Orange.