Michael Allen Wells

Fire Lieutenant Michael Wells of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on September 14, 2019, after a heroic battle with occupational esophageal cancer. Throughout his courageous fight, he never lost his smile, faith and inspirational spirit. He served with the City of Lenexa Fire Department in Kansas for 14 years.

Wells grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, in a loving household with his mother, Lori, father, Rod, and siblings, Ryan and Jamie. Wells had a passion for sports, playing on many teams, and was happy whenever his father coached him. He loved football and went on to play in college at The University of Central Missouri. His other passions were his family and his faith. Wells dreamed as a young boy of becoming a firefighter. He had a servant’s heart and loved helping others. It was the tragedy of 9/11 that had the greatest impact on Wells. He was 20 years old and in college on that horrific day and it became a defining point for him. He watched the heroic acts of the New York City firefighters and felt called to pursue this dream. He changed his minor to fire science and enrolled in the fire academy immediately after college graduation.

Wells met his future wife, Katie, through a friend. She was immediately drawn to his kindness. She knew he would be a great husband and father one day. They married and had three children, raising them with mutual family values and their love of Chiefs football. Wells saved for their dream trip to Disney World which they enjoyed just 2 months before his cancer diagnosis. The memories they made there and the family photos they have will be cherished by Katie and the children for the rest of their lives. Katie wants everyone to know that Wells was a great human and the best husband, father, son, brother and firefighter. He embodied what it means to be a true hero and served his community with love and honor. He was a firefighter, an EMT, an inspector, an investigator and more. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in 2016. He received a Badge of Honor for saving a life. On April 2, 2021, the Governor of Kansas signed a bill into law named the Wells Wells Memorial Bill. This bill ensures that firefighters and police officers who die of a service-connected medical disability will now receive the same benefits as a line-of-duty death. Katie is so grateful to know that Well’s fire brothers and sisters in Kansas and their families will be protected by this bill.

Fire Lieutenant Michael Wells is survived by his loving wife, Katie, his children, Olivia, Johnny and Caroline, his parents, Rod and Lori Wells, his brother, Ryan and his sister, Jamie.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage for the Wells family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.