Harry F. “Red” Reaves, age 70, Kansas City, MO, passed away suddenly at his home on October 23, 2017.
Harry was born October 25, 1946 in Joplin, MO, son of Harry F. Reaves Sr. and Luvernia Smiley Reaves of Joplin, MO. He attended Joplin High School, graduating in 1964 where he was a star basketball player. He attended Jasper County Junior College/Missouri Southern State College, before moving to Kansas City in the late 60’s, working with the Rainbow Vacuum Cleaning Corporation. He became an entrepreneur, and started his own carpet company and then worked with MoKan, a minority construction company, doing remodeling work. His next venture on his own was in the hot spot area of Kansas City in the middle 70’s, known as the River Quay, where he owned an establishment known as Harlow’s. That hot entertainment district featured some of the most sought after music acts in the area. After the collapse of the entire River Quay district, he ventured into the popcorn business and formed Jimmy Crack Corn and owned a mobile unit selling popcorn in the area. The popcorn business still exists, but only at certain functions.
Harry purchased an old JC Penney’s store at 31st and Troost, where he formed and became CEO of Tycor Community Development Corporation, Inc. a 501(c)(3). Knowing that Troost was part of the Santa Fe Trail and formerly known as the Osage Trail, he formed a partnership which developed the Harvest Moon American Indian Festival. The festival featured Native American acts and bonded with many Tribes and Nations throughout the Midwest. Harry had just finished his 7th annual Harvest Moon event two weeks ago. He devoted his life to the 31st and Troost area and got the city to form a charter and to name the area the Osage Trail Station Neighborhood, as he was well respected in the Osage Nation of Pawhuska, OK.
His goal was to renovate his building into a Native American Museum and welcome all Tribes and Nations to display memorabilia. He envisioned adding video captions telling each tribes’ history.
Survivors include his son Stacy Reaves of Pittsburgh, KS, a daughter Jill Warner of CO and granddaughter Oliva Warner. He is also survived by his loving aunts Betty Smith and Sue Reaves and his cousin Gregory Smith, with whom he was raised as a brother. Other survivors include his partner, Leslie LaMons and his business partners, Ada Shaw and Teresa Bradskey as well as many friends and business associates too numerous to list
Parker Mortuary is providing service for Harry, it will be held on Monday, October 30th at 2:00 pm and a graveside service with be at Parkway Cemetery will follow.
In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Harry’s passion The Harvest Moon American Indian Festival on their GoFundMe site https://www.gofundme.com/hk9f4o
“There is no death. Only change of worlds” Chief Seattle
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