Michael Rey

A Homegoing Tribute for Our Beloved Michael Rey November 23, 1953—August 5, 2021 May He Rest in Peace, Power, and Love Michael “Mike” Rey, of Columbus, Ohio, departed peacefully from this life on August 5, 2021, at age 67. He was born at the Tachikawa Air Base Hospital, Japan, on November 23, 1953. When Mike was 6 years old, the family immigrated to the United States. The Rey family first lived in South Ogden and Washington Terrace, Utah, then moved to Dayton, Ohio, where Mike attended Carlson Elementary School and Patterson Cooperative High School. He graduated from Southwest High School in St. Louis, Missouri in 1972. Mike attended the University of Southern California (USC) where he was President of the Black Student Union. He also was member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, of which he later became Polemarch of the Seattle Washington Alumni Chapter. Mike was a lover of life and could make anyone laugh. He enjoyed Sunday Bingo and cheering the USC Trojan Football team to victory-Fight on! The only thing he loved more than Bingo and football was his family. Nothing meant more. He loved being a partner, father, brother, and uncle. He also loved being a friend. In turn, all those who met him came to love him. Michael is preceded in death by his parents Sidney M. Rey and Kazuko Okazawa; paternal grandparents Magnolia and Samuel Sims; maternal grandparents Seijiro and Satoe Okazawa. Michael leaves behind to cherish his memory the love of his life and devoted partner Vernell Braxton and daughter Michaella Rey, Dayton, Ohio. He is also survived by three sisters, Margo Okazawa-Rey, Claremont, California, Valerie Michelle Kitchens, Ft. Worth, Texas, and Rhonda Davis, Pittsburgh, and one nephew Prentice M. Wells (Melinda) Morgan Hills, California. He also leaves behind extraordinary lifelong friends and Kappa brothers Gary France, Joe Jimerson, and Terry Baker, and two cousins Maki Mori Honda and Suguru Mori, both of Tokyo, Japan. Memorial services—in person and on Zoom—will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to Hampton University, Hampton, Virginia, to honor alumnae the late Mrs. Elvira Mayfield Baber (great aunt) and Ms. Vernell Braxton (beloved partner).