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.
Shayla and Steve, we are so sad to learn of the loss of Dusty in your lives. What an amazing person he was. It is a privilege to witness the life and community he built, as shown in the moving slide show and in the comments here. We are praying that you find peace at the loss of his presence in your world. And we wish you happy memories of your time with him. Hugs and love, Shelly & Ed
Dustin, where do I begin?! An absolute character who was a true gentlemen and a great laugh on any work night out.
You took me under your wing, when we first met during my early years in SAP. We connected on loving our careers and enjoying the job that we did. You gave me such great advice and helped me navigate the mammoth world of SAP and for that I was truly thankful.
Our friendship grew over those years, enjoying many a night out, trips away with work…Carly’s list is very familiar 😉
More recently though, your passion for the countryside, and your love of modern art meant you visited me and my family in the Peaks on several occasions. Venturing to chatsworth house was your favourite thing to do whilst here. Was always a pleasure to host you and show you the delights. It meant so much for you to spend that time with us and I like to think that even more recently, you found calm in your recent trips and the time spent here was helpful and positive.
Im struggling to believe that you are no longer here.
you will and are missed by many…
like I always said to you..I’m always here
L x
I’m heartbroken by this news and want to express my deepest condolences to Dustin’s parents and loving family. I know Dustin from our time at Georgetown (many, many years ago!) and just remember how happy he made me feel…and how much I laughed with him.
You are always in my heart, Dustin, and will always make me feel such happiness when I think of you, your smile, and all of our laughs.
Over WhatsApp, Dustin asked me about his Chimes brothers (from the a cappella group we were both part of in college.) He had lost touch but eagerly wanted to know how his brothers were doing. I tried to coax him to join the chat group we have now, but he was reluctant — perhaps afraid he’d been away from the group too long and that there were many guys who had joined the group since he graduated that he hadn’t met. I’ll share what I wrote him then, because it’s still true today.
You’re loved, Dustin, by all of us. We will miss you and remember fondly your kind heart, the sparkle in your eyes, and your beaming smile.
I see that another friend of Dustin’s posted a poem from Rumi. I’ll attach here a photo Dustin took and sent me of another Rumi poem that touches me today more than I can express.
IFE,
157
Here’s another pic worth sharing! Miss you brother. IFE, 174
Dustin was a brother Chime when we were undergrads at GTown. We shared great times and great memories performing, road trips and enjoying singing together. Here is a picture from President Clinton’s Christmas Party our senior year… we got to sing with Tony Bennett that night!
I am so sorry to hear of Dustin’s passing! We met at Georgetown and his energy was an instant magnet as he was full of life. I would try to keep up with him on runs and in turn would give him pointers on the rowing machine. We lost touch for awhile, and reconnected as I heard his voice in the hallway while I was interviewing at CEB and was thrilled to learn we would be working together. He will be missed by so many.
Sending love and peace to his family, RIP Dustin. xo
Christmas ? Jumpers
Dustin – Rumi
Dear Carly,
Thank you so much for posting this poem.
Valerie <3
Dustin I will always remember you as a King. We met while working at SAP and over the years there we became close… my memory bank…
Daiquiri Ice Blue Loubs on Tubes
Mezcal in the Yard
Backstage passes at Hamilton
Old Fashions
Lego Sears Chicago
GFDA
The Fairie Queen by Spenser
King Cacti
Dressing well together
Masquerade Balls with Epic Dance Floor falls
Christmas Jumpers
FKOM
Meeting Ma and Pa
Birthday Celebrations
I will always hold a place in my heart for you Dustin rest well and with peace
Dustin and I met as freshmen in university. He is one of my oldest and dearest friends. He visited me in San Francisco. I visited him in London. And I regret that I won’t have a chance to hug him again in January. I’m heartbroken at this loss and am grateful for the opportunity to celebrate how much he meant to us all.
I am heartbroken my friend is gone. We met at CEB and grew close, travelling together, exchanging views on all things professional, ESG, food, music, going out and philosophising about life. He was very quick and witty and made me laugh so much. Dustin made sure to keep in touch and visiting even though we lived in different countries we enjoyed each others company. Dustin was special to me, we had a bond and could always count on each other. I am so sorry for everybody’s loss.
You left us way too early. I love you & I miss you already, Dustin.
I met Dusty as a tiny baby, and I loved him dearly. We had a lot of time a part, but I spent time with him in the last month of his life. I will cherish him, and be glad for our time together, forever. I have loved reading all the stories of him here, and I thank everyone who has written. He was a wonderful and loving and unique Being, and is a unique Soul, and I will continue to let him inspire me!
Dustin was my son, one of three great sons. I am anticipating sharing memories with his friends. Your participation is dear to Dustin’s mother and me. Thank you.
I first met Dustin in summer, 1999 in Washington DC, and we instantly bonded a friendship that still exists 23 years later. From things we observed in our daily lives, Dustin and I shared a comical outlook to the world around us. We enjoyed this bond throughout the years, sharing in many adventures traveling to various locations: from Turkey for my 50th birthday celebration, Dustin visiting us in the SF Bay area and traveling to Lassen National Park to hike the volcano, and always having a hilariously grand time on multiple trips to London. Dustin brought an enthusiasm that drew everyone around him into his captivating orbit. Just recently in August, we had spoken and were planning a visit from him to our home in Switzerland in 2023. How I sorely miss him already. But I have so many memories of Dustin that I will cherish for the rest of my life. And when I think of him, it will always put a smile on my face, and a little chuckle on a “re-lived” story about my loveable friend. RIP old pal.
Dustin was one of the highlights of my time at CEB. He was a loyal friend and one of the funniest people I’ve ever known. I’ll never forget the time he convinced me to help him perform an expressive dance routine in the office as a colleague’s wedding ‘gift’. I hope that you found many moments of happiness and love in your time on earth, Dustin.
I was heartbroken to hear the news of Dustin’s passing, and I can only imagine the grief you are experiencing now. My heart goes out to you all. He was a special person and he touched many lives. I learned a great deal from him while working with him at CEB. I will forever remember his force of presence, his laugh and sense of humour, his talent for sales and winning over people with his charm. He was a great person that will be missed dearly, but not forgotten. He will live on in our hearts and memories. Sending you my warmest embrace from across the pond and wishing that you find comfort and peace in each other through these very difficult times.
Shayla and Steve, Buck and I have been so saddened by the news of the loss of your dear Dustin. You are in our thoughts and prayers
Heart broken for your loss. Sending caring and love to the family.
I am so incredibly sad to hear this news and am thinking of you, his family, in this time of loss. I have so many memories of Dustin’s warmth and he was always willing to help share advice and guidance over the course of our careers and lives here in London after we both moved over with CEB. One of Dustin’s lasting legacies to me personally is my vegetarianism. I well remember one meal about 5 years ago where we discuss the environmental impact of meat which led me to a simple experiment to not eat meat for a weekend. That was 5+ years ago and reflective of the caring, kind, thoughtful spirit Dustin brought to the world. Heartfelt condolences.