Honoring the Life and Legacy of
Dustin “Dusty” Donald King
Obituary
Dustin Donald King, known to his family and Kansas City school-mates as “Dusty,” died suddenly at his home in London, England, on October 3, 2022. Dustin was 46 years old.
Dustin was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 2, 1976, the son of Stephen and Shayla King. He is survived by his parents and two older brothers — Brian King (Jen Behme) of Springfield, Missouri, and Damian King of Arvada, Colorado. He is also survived by his cherished aunts: Mary Stecher of Oak Park, Illinois; Valerie Reif of Lawrence, Kansas; and Mary Katherine “Kitty” King of Raytown, Missouri. Dustin was particularly close to his uncle William T. “Bill” Stecher who passed away in 2015.
Dustin lived in London for more than 16 years. He loved the city. He had a successful career in business-to-business software sales, first in the United States, and then in the United Kingdom. He made many friends in various circles, especially in London adult volleyball. He excelled in that sport, both as a setter and as a coach.
Dustin was outgoing and a real charmer. His smile was unforgettable. He graduated from Kansas City’s Rockhurst High School in 1994 and from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., in 1998. He was an excellent student at all levels, a lifelong over-achiever, a singer, a dancer, a member of the Georgetown Chimes, and a cross-country runner who became a marathoner. He was a hiker, a true world traveler, a mountain climber, and a vegan for conscientious reasons. He loved theater, opera, and contemporary art.
Dustin died too young. He will be missed … on at least two continents.
Virtual Celebration of Life
& Online Reception
Recorded Wednesday, November 30, 2022
Dustin’s family invites you to view the virtual Celebration of Life Service & Reception honoring his life and legacy.
Slideshow
Photo Gallery
In Lieu Of Flowers Please Consider Donating To Your Local Humane Society or Animal Shelter
Dustin cared about humane treatment of the world’s animals. If he were writing this note, he would encourage you to direct any memorial contribution to advocates for these causes in your region of the world.
Sending love & strength to Dustin’s family & friends all over the globe. He was an erudite and energetic colleague, friend and human.
We will miss him deeply.
Dustin, I am in shock. Georegtown, CEB, our paths crossed for years. I am so sorry. RIP.
Dustin was my colleague at CEB for a few years – he later became a good friend. He was genuine, funny, thoughtful and incredibly smart! I will miss his humour, wittiness and kind heart. May you rest in peace Dustin ❤️
Dustin always brought such positive energy and that radiant smile to us all around the office. No matter how busy the work day was, he always took time to check in, say a genuine hello, and flash that smile. Sending love and peace to Dustin’s family and friends.
Dustin and I met on the dance floor of a late night club in London in 2011. I was transitioning from broadcast journalism to consulting post-financial crash. Not the most likely venue to hold a careers networking event. I want to thank Dustin for the opportunity he passed my way.
Our early hours chat mixed to the sound of booming house music that month led to me walking into a job at CEB the next. He showed me how CEB worked. He was a trusted work colleague and provided good energy on the office sales floor.
I recall Dustin’s sharp mind, bright eyes, good looks and generous heart.
I am so very sorry he left too soon. I hope he rests in a better place.
Chris Winning
I first met Dustin at a house party in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware in 1999. Boy, could he dance! He was 20 years younger than me and just out of college – hardly someone I thought I’d spend time with. By the next year we were inseparable. I was delighted by his intelligence, sarcasm and quick wit. We soon became housemates in suburban Washington. Dustin fell in love with Billie (my dog) and the two of them could be found chasing after each other in the back yard, or cuddled together in bed napping. Of course, we saw less of each other after he moved to London, but I visited many times and we enjoyed summer trips around England and France.
Dusty, you brought so much joy and laughter to so many people. I am fortunate to have had you in my life. I hope you and Billie are somewhere snuggling and remembering me.
I had the privilege of working with Dustin at SAP. I always enjoyed his humour and his professionalism. RIP, my friend.
To my darling Dustin, I am beyond devastated to hear of your passing. From the day we met when you joined ServiceNow, I knew we would be friends. Because of the pandemic it was many months before we met in person and we were able to find somewhere to get decent vegan food and spend time together properly. You shared with me your love of sport, and how you missed playing table tennis outside your apartment. Also how much you loved you parents and your aunts back in the US and how worried you were about them catching Covid.
On team calls, your back chat messaging made it difficult for me to keep a straight face. You had such an eye for details and particularly if you suspected someone was actually still in their pyjamas with a sports jacket thrown on top.
Your love of Hamilton made me finally watch it, after swearing I would never watch a musical again and you were right – it is brilliant!
At work you were held in such high regard and I am still in awe of the detail and effort you put into your value assessments. I’ve never met anyone quite so fervently diligent about their client.
After I heard of your death, I posted a tribute on LinkedIn and more than 100 people posted their own tributes to you from across the software industry – from CEB, SAP and ServiceNow, plus the many customers and partners you worked with.
I am so sad that I will never be able to see you and hug you again. The world is a darker place without you.
all my love
Sarah Bailey xxx
Sarah – Thank you on behalf of our family for letting his professional community know what happened. I too posted something on LinkedIn after his passing, but our professional circles didn’t have a lot of overlap, so it was good that you were able to let his professional network know of his death.
Shayla, I am so sorry for your loss. May your find comfort in in your memories.
Family will always be family! ❤️
Dustin was genuinely lovely soul. I’m glad we met and become good friends. Yesterday I ran Athens Marathon’22 in his memory. Thank you for everything. I will miss you greatly.
Dearest Shayla, Steve, Brian, Damian – be assured of my thoughts, prayers, and condolences during this time of sorrow and loss, to each of you and all that knew and love Dustin Donald King.
Our Dusty and all of the King family have always had a special place in my heart, that will remain forever. I only have beautiful and fun memories of Dusty that I will cherish forever. From when he was just a wee boy being cared for by the Garcia Family, Dusty that blonde hair, blue eye cutie became an official Garcia. Many memories of Dusty sitting around the Garcia table sharing in the laughter and the joy. I also had the blessing that when Dusty was in Middle School at Visitation was to be his teacher. That was a special time. As time went on, even though Dusty and I didn’t have much communication we knew that he and I were each others biggest fans. About 2 years ago when we were in contact, he thanked me and my family for the gift of belonging and sharing the pure unrestrained laughter with him since he was a baby. Those words of love have stayed with me.
Thank you Steve and Shayla for allowing Dusty, from the time he was a baby to be part of my life and part of the Garcia Family. I know my Dad and Mom were at the heavenly gates to welcome Dusty with open arms and love.
Now our Dusty is an angel in heaven watching over each of us – with all his charm and that beautiful smile of his. Rest in peace my Dusty!! You are loved and cherished forever my Friend!!!
Dustin was my very good friend and partner in mischief. We met at a volleyball tournament in New Orleans in 1992 and stayed close ever since, including me crashing on his couch in London for nearly a month.
Story after story after story I recount to friends features Dustin’s and my adventures. They were always hysterical. Example: One day walking down the street in Washington DC, we pass an individual who looked a lot like George Michael. Dustin says, “Look at this queen… she think she’s George Michael” – within earshot of the person who was passing us. Turns out it was actually George Michael and he let us know. I have never laughed so hard in my life.
And don’t get me started on the time we discovered Eastern European ladies of the night had taken up residency in the basement of his new flat by Paddington.
His favorite thing to say to me: “Karraker! You’re In It!!!” Which he told me after a to-the-floor spike from a perfect Dustin quick set. He would repeat it over and over, even if I was just able to successfully open a bag of crisps.
Such a wonderfully positive, goofy, bright soul and a supportive friend. And one hell of a ping pong player. I will miss him terribly.
That’s five friends my age who have passed in the last ten months. Go live your life. Be joyous and spread joy like Dustin did. Tell someone you haven’t spoken to in a year you love them. Life is too short.
Dear Dave,
I don’t know you, but we both loved, and were loved by Dusty, so I must say: 5 friends in 10 months is overwhelming. Please accept my love across the airwaves, and be good to yourself! Your stories about Dustin made me laugh. Thank you! Valerie
Dear Dusty, I hope you knew how blessed I was by our friendship of over 21 years! From our first meeting as training instructors at Accenture in St Charles to our many vacations around the world, you were always a fun and adventurous partner in crime! I can’t believe it has now been over three years since you hosted me in your stylish and perfect Shoreditch flat and we had our Art Walk and conquered the O2! You were one of a kind and will be sorely missed – OXOXOX
Very tough news to receive. I worked closely with Dustin for a good number of years, but lost contact over the last several. I saw many sides to Dustin, from the fantastic outrageously over the top to the calm, collected and considerate thinker. Enjoyed his company very much. Intelligent, witty and genuine. He will be missed by many. Rest peacefully mate.
In memory of Dustin. My energy and spirits were always lifted when working with Dustin! He was almost always smiling and laughing! (even in tough situations) I worked on many different projects with him over the years and enjoyed his quirky style and wit, we had a great rapport. He will be very much missed. RIP Dustin.
So sad. Such a lovely bloke, always seemed a bit calmer and a little detached from all the madness at SAP here in the UK. Able to immediately see though all the bull**** and still smile. I clearly remember the fun run Simon refers to in his tribute. A freezing cold March day and a charity run to raise money for a charity dear to my heart. Thanks mate, RIP.
The first time I met Dustin was in a coffee shop at Euston station. I was there to interview him as part of his application to join SAP. Anyone who knew him will know how meticulous he was and this was no different – he had lots of questions! Which was great, except I had been at a work dinner the prior evening and was operating on only a few hours sleep and with a raging hangover! To Dustin’s credit he gave me a proper grilling on SAP! But my most cherished memory will be the charity run in Richmond we did together. I’m not a natural runner so I trained for a good few months, unlike Dustin who rocked up and promptly beat me by over 10 minutes! RIP Dustin
Genuine nice human – will be hugely missed.
I got to know Dustin at SAP, he was a bit of an enigma to me at first but once i got to know him over a few beers he was always such a laugh and had a very dry sense of humour. We were never close friends but always made time for a chat whenever we did meet at events or in the office and we had many SAP lunches together. a real shame RIP.
Dear Dusty,
I wish that I had gotten to know you better, even though I have known you for your entire life. As your older brother by five years, we were too far removed by our ages for us to have much of a shared childhood. I graduated High School when you were in 7th Grade. And while we saw each other from time to time and communicated on WhatsApp, I didn’t know nearly as well as I should have. I regret that.
The World Cup is starting soon. The US and the UK are both in Group B which should be interesting. I don’t think that the US will do very well. Regardless, I will miss our correspondence as the tournament progresses. Likewise, I will thoroughly miss our conversations when the next Summer Olympics occur, especially during the volleyball segments. I enjoyed our banter about World Sporting Competitions quite a bit!
Dad and I spent 10 days in London after learning of your death. While our trip wasn’t a pleasure trip by any means, I enjoyed exploring your city. It’s obvious why you fell so madly in Love with London. The international flair of the city, the vibrancy of your neighborhood, and the proximity to so many vegan restaurants must have been irresistible for you! Dad and I ate at your favorite restaurant on Brick Lane. Neither of us had ever tasted Korean Italian Vegan Fusion Food before. It was good! It was also my first Vegan Cannabis Sausage…
Most evenings I would walk around a different section of the city and work my way back to Aldgate East. I would find areas that weren’t packed with tourists and just take the city in. Similarly, Dad would wake in the mornings and walk up to Brick Lane for a coffee and a morning snack. Together and Individually, Dad and I both tried to introduce ourselves to your ” world” as best we we could. We really liked the Culpeper too.
Over the last month, I’ve had the opportunity to speak to a number of people who were truly touched by you over the years. Those conversations have helped me learn more about you and to feel that I know you better. While you and I weren’t super-close it’s wonderful to hear stories from people who loved you and people that you helped, some of them immeasurably. There are literally people all over the world whose lives you had a huge impact upon, and I hope you knew how much you were loved.
I’ll never forget the last time that we talked. Your enthusiasm was contagious. You sounded more optimistic than I had heard you sound in a long time. I wish that hadn’t been the last conversation that we will ever have but I will always cherish the energy and positivity in your voice that day. The spirit on display in that conversation was the same spirit that endeared you to so many people over your too brief life.
I Love You Little Brother. Our family will never be the same without you.
Brian
Dear Brian,
Your beautiful letter to Dusty touched me so.
You and Stephen walking in Dusty’s steps, eating his favorite foods, and reliving his love of London painted a picturesque look into Dusty’s life.
Age gaps are difficult to manage. I get that more than you know. I have often wished that we all were closer, in distance and in our ties to one another.
Hopefully we may all realize that love is a strong force that breaks through and shows up during times of grief, suffering and loss.
Much love,
Kitty