Minister Michael E. Reese

Michael was born on April 2, 1973, with his twin brother Marcus Reese to George W. Reese, Jr. and Mary E. Reese in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Michael accepted Jesus as His Lord and Savior as a young child.  He was a member of This Rock Christian Tabernacle where he helped his parents as Minister of Music for many years. Throughout his life Michael would go and help other churches as Minister of Music in their music department but would always come back to his home church, This Rock to help his parents.

Michael graduated from Southwest High School and received his higher education at Penn Valley Community College. Michael worked for Carter Broadcast Group (KPRS/KPRT) from the age of 19 for 10 years, he was the Executive Assistant to the President of the company.  He also started his own piano teaching business called Reese-Mackey, LLC. His last job was as the Lead Peer Educator for KC Care Health Center and was the Finance Chair on the KC Ryan White Planning Council that reported to the Mayor of Kansas City. Michael also had a heart for and worked with the youth. Michael was instrumental in starting the first Citywide Youth Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma helping his Aunt Shela Barnes with her vision.  The Citywide Youth Conference became one of the largest annual christian youth events in Oklahoma.  Through this he formed the first Citywide Youth Mass Choir in Tulsa, Ok.  He was also the motivational speaker, encouraging youth to stay away from gangs and drugs.  He built up their self-esteem in the direction of education and how to make a good mark on this earth. The conference and workshop was held once a year in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  Michael not only had a heart for youth but would also spend countless hours talking to and helping older people.

From a very young age, Michael along with his siblings loved spending every summer on the farm in Coweta, Oklahoma with his grandparents, Raymond and Grace Mackey. He loved riding horses, going fishing, to rodeos, and getting the full experience of country life.  He also loved vacations with family. Michael was a family man. He loved spending time with his parents, brothers, sister, sister-in-law and all his family members. He especially loved the Tuesday night family dinners at his parents and the traditional celebrations of birthdays together. On April 2, 2023, Michael and his twin brother Marcus celebrated their 50th birthday together with family at a local restaurant and had so much fun and laughter!

One day Michael’s mom asked her young children, “who wants to play the piano?” Michael said, “I’ll do it”.  Michael started taking piano lessons when he was 11 years old and realized he had a natural gift.  He could hear something once and play it. While practicing the piano at home his mom would say, “Michael you are not reading those notes, you have a natural God given gift for music, but you have to learn to read the music notes because one day someone may give you some sheet music and ask you to play for them”.  From those early lessons, by the age of 15, Michael was asked to be the Minister of Music and played the piano at Love Fellowship Church where the family attended, both reading music and playing by ear.  At Michael’s high school graduation, Michael was given sheet music, and he played a song on a “baby grand” piano at the downtown Music Hall and the rest is history.  Not only could Michael play the piano, he could also sing. He played and sang all over Kansas City and traveled as well.  His dream was to be a musician for the Whitney Singers of Kansas City, and he accomplished that goal. He also wrote songs for a play, as well as his own CD. He could play many instruments, but his passion was for the piano and organ.  He played gospel music on the piano with a jazzy and blues flare, which his great uncle Rufus Crawford taught him. Michael often referred to himself as “Piano Man” or “Professor”.

Michael was so full of love for everyone and had a way of making everyone feel special, and that they mattered. He would help anyone in need.  Michael was loved by his family and friends and brought joy to so many.  Michael also loved to laugh and was a practical joker. During his lifetime here on this earth, Michael touched the lives of so many that he encountered. He will truly be missed by everyone!

On November 8,1998, at the age of 25 years, Michael had a “grand mal” seizure and fell dead in church. Through prayer God raised him up! At the ER he found out that he had a rare “Glioblastoma” brain tumor.  He was considered a miracle, and his story was written in the Kansas City Star Newspaper. This rare tumor reoccurred six times over the past 25 years.  In May of 2023, Michael found out that there was a  6th tumor.  He went through a round of radiation and found out in August of 2023 that once again it did not work. Michael decided that he did not want any more treatment and that he was ready to go home to be with Jesus. He told his parents he had a talk with Jesus, and it was well with his soul.

Michael fought the good fight of faith for twenty-five years and on Friday morning, October 27, 2023, at home, Jesus rocked Michael to sleep. It was so quiet and peaceful as if only he and Jesus were in the room. Michael will truly be missed by his family and friends. It’s not good-bye to Michael but see you later! Michael is loved by all of us but Jesus loves him more, so much that Jesus called him home to rest.

Preceding Michael in death are his paternal grandparents George W. Reese, Sr. and Willie Mae Reese. Maternal Grandparents Raymond Mackey, Sr. and Grace Mackey, Great Nephew DeVohn Dudley-Reese.

Michael leaves to cherish his memory his parents Bishop George W. Reese, Jr. and Pastor Mary E. Reese of Kansas City, MO., Maternal grandmother, Irene Grant of Tulsa Oklahoma, Brother, Anthony Reese of Hilo Hawaii, Twin Brother, Marcus Reese (Andrea) of Kansas City, MO., Sister, Apostle Alycia Reese of Kansas City, MO., Sister Cousin, Minister Tabitha Sanders of Kansas City, MO. Sissy, Minister Michelle Hoydou of Kansas City, MO., Mentor, Auntie Nobie (Zenobia Smith) of Kansas City, MO. and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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