Brain tumor almost killed this KC musician. He lived to help others 25 more years

At church, where he was minister for music, Michael Reese suffered a seizure and fell to the floor 25 years ago.

He wasn’t breathing and had no heartbeat. The family tried to resuscitate him with no success.

The congregation at This Rock Christian Tabernacle believed Reese was dead and began to pray over his body. Surprisingly, the 25-year-old musician opened his eyes, and for the family, it was nothing short of a miracle.

“We thought he was gone,” says Alycia Reese, his younger sister. “It was the power of prayer that lifted him back up and brought him back from the dead.”

Reese was rushed to the hospital, where he was informed that he suffered a grand mal seizure and was diagnosed with a glioblastoma brain tumor. The tumor required brain surgery and caused health issues throughout the remainder of his life. Reese didn’t know if the tumor would return but wanted to use the extra time here, however long that would be, to help others.

“Even with everything he had going on, he always had a smile on his face and stayed positive,” his sister says.

Reese, who was also a peer educator for KC Care Health Center, died Oct. 27 after an inoperable tumor re-emerged on his brain. He was 50. His family says he was grateful for the 25 years he received after his initial diagnosis.

“We knew what was coming ahead, so we have been preparing ourselves as best we could,” says his mother, Mary Reese. “It still hurts to have him gone, but he is not suffering or in pain anymore.”

Reese, a Kansas City native who graduated from Southwest High School, had a gift for music at an early age, his mother said. He could play a song by ear after hearing it once. She enrolled him in lessons and he played for the church and in bands throughout his life. He co-founded Reese-Mackey LLC, where he taught piano.

Reese combined his love for music with his passion for helping people, volunteering to teach free lessons at juvenile group homes and assisting elderly community members.

“He wanted to uplift people to explore their gifts and use them to grow,” says his mother. “He always was encouraging people and was always very patient with people.”

A lover of gospel, jazz and blues, Reese was known affectionately as “Piano Man.”

“He will be remembered as someone who gave out love to everyone,” says his father, George Reese. “No matter who he came in contact with, he always put others before himself, and everyone who met Mike loved him.”

His family says that in his last days, Reese was not fearful of death but instead worried about the well-being of his family.

“He didn’t want us to be sad and he was ready to be with the lord,” says his mother. “Michael will truly be missed by the family and everyone in his life because he always brought so much joy and laughter to everyone.”

He is survived by his parents, George and Mary Reese, and siblings Anthony Reese, Marcus Reese and Alycia Reese.

Other remembrances

Valcinia Lester

Valcinia Lester, mother and teacher, died Nov. 11. She was 73.

Lester was born on Oct. 30, 1950, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Theodore and Georgia Boyd. She graduated from Washington High School in 1968, and in 1972 she received a degree in home economics from Kansas State University and then her master’s in education from the University of Missouri in 1973.

While in college, Lester met her future husband, Larry Lester. The couple were married in 1976 and spent the next 47 years together.

Lester taught at F.L. Schlagle High School for 10 years. Her next job was the food service director for Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools until Lester retired after 26 years due to health complications from multiple sclerosis.

Lester was a member of the Kansas City alumni chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the American Businesswoman’s Association, where she served as president for a time.

She is survived by her husband, Larry; children, Tiffany and Erica Lester; and siblings Reginald Boyd, Sanford Clardy, Norman Clardy, Pamela Boyd, Sabrina Boyd, Garnice Robertson, Tina Carter and Veronica Boyd.

Joseph Burns

Joseph Burns, retired warehouse worker, died on Oct. 28. He was 94.

Burns was born on March 7, 1929, in Tillar, Arkansas, to Sam and Blanche Burns. He left school to work and help his family financially.

After he married his wife, Glorious, the couple moved to Kansas City to find better jobs. Burns was known for holding down multiple jobs and working long hours to provide for his family.

He was hired at Land-Sharp Chevrolet, where he worked his way up to a manager position before switching jobs to Mode O’Day warehouse, where he retired.

He is survived by his children, Nella, JoAnne, Vaun, Chree, Chandra, Candy, Joseph Jr., Larry Sr., Marcus Sr., Dennis, Vernell Sr., Jeffery, Cedric Sr., and Carl; sisters Anna Drew and Christell James. He is also remembered by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.