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.
Dear Dusty,
Today marks a year since you died. A lot has transpired in the last year, some good, some not so good. Our family was together last weekend in Chicago. We spoke of you much and missed you dearly. We were in town for a Celebration of Life for Aunt Mary. Her cancer had returned. She had been suffering for too long. We are grateful that she is at peace.
I know that there are people that are missing you all over the world, each in their own way, and many of us are especially somber today, recalling your Legacy and the profound way that you had an impact on each of us.
A new King was coronated in London! I’ve wondered many times what your thoughts on that subject will be?
The Chiefs won another Super Bowl! Kansas City hosted the NFL Draft earlier this year, and the city was selected to be a World Cup host city on 2026 which is going to put the city on International Display! You would be impressed with the development in KC. Granted, it isn’t “London” development, but it’s pretty cool to experience on my trips to town.
Damian and I met in London in early December of last year to see Billy Strings play one show in London and a 2nd show in Manchester. We stayed at your flat while we were in London. England was in the World Cup Quarter-Finals and Semi-Finals while we were there! We got to watch them win one match one evening… unfortunately, that second match did not go in England’s favor, but the excitement throughout the city was extraordinary!
The irony that we were in London to see a Psychedelic Blue-Grass Band wasn’t lost on us. You probably wouldn’t have enjoyed the shows all that much, but I know that you would have liked knowing that we did! It was cool to share your neighborhood with Damian… you were with us in spirit all along the way.
Things aren’t the same without you… You’re still deeply missed and dearly loved…
Rest in Peace my Youngest Bother…
When I met Dustin, it was more than 10 years ago; I had recently arrived in London, and I didn’t know many people. In addition to being successful at work he was managing the coolest and most genuine volleyball club in London. Dustin welcomed me at my first social session and thanks to him, I felt part of a community for the first time in this big city.
His passion, his kindness and generosity were making that volleyball club something really special for many of us. He attracted like-minded (or like-hearted) people, playing with them was the best moment of my week.
Our friendship evolved through the years, thanks to more common passions such as music and theater. I loved spending time with Dustin either talking, listening to music, peppering, or going to the theater. It meant a lot that he came to my wedding this year.
Thank you isn’t enough.
Mi manchi amico mio
xxx Paola
SO grateful y’all had the Willowise memorial experience recorded, which I just got to watch thanks to Alex Sierra’s sharing of the event link (I could not have attended live, due to my teaching schedule, unfortunately). Thank you, King family, for the giftof Dustin. While our paths went in different directions after our first year at Georgetown, sharing in the magic of living on fourth floor New South, I still remember how his smile and energy lit up the whole floor (and the whole Potomac for that matter, since it was the top floor!). Similarly, I recall how his energy and wit made every Chimes concert better (no offense to Sameer, Peter, and the rest of the Chimes class of ’98). Praying you experience good grief in this awful time and bright reminders of his ongoing life in the lives of all he touched forever after. Hoya saxa!
I was so very sorry to hear about Dustin, who was a really great guy and a beautiful singer. Thank you hosting the online memorial, and for sharing those wonderful memories of him.
My deepest condolences to his family and my hopes that his memory is a blessing for all.
It was a gift to hear from so many today who loved Dusty. Thank you for the stories, the laughter and the tears. Thank you, King family, for this beautiful opportunity to come together. Xo
What a beautiful, loving memorial service for Dustin. My heart goes out to you, Steve and Shayla (as well as Brian and Jen, Damian and other family members). I have had the most wonderful privilege of being your friends about 23 years, since we moved here from Michigan. I did not know Dustin well, but shared a wonderful dinner with him and several “older” ladies in Maryland a few years ago. On that one night, he was everything all the speakers talked about today in their remembrances of Dusty. The one speaker who really touched me was Mr. Karraker, who said something like, If you can’t find joy in your life, like Dusty did, you’re doing something wrong. When I heard him say that, I knew that Dustin was a beautiful, joyful human being who loved life, and that he now rests in the most wonderful place there is. All my love, Mary Lynn
Uncle Dusty, will forever be missed. Though we may have not been able to spend much time together, I will always cherish the times we had.
When I think of Dustin I remember lots of great times singing in the Georgetown Chimes. We were actives together for only one year after he returned from studying abroad (1998), but I remember his goofy and infectious personality had everyone smiling and laughing from the moment we started rehearsals each day. He was so full of spirit and energy that you couldn’t help but feel picked up and buoyed along by his enthusiasm and joy for life. If I recall, he created the artwork for one of the CD albums we produced (Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Chime) and he used an intricate woodcut engraving process for the back cover (or was it the interior CD case liner?). It was impressive and an example of the varied skills and interests that Dustin had. One highlight was singing for President Clinton at the White House for an executive holiday party. It was a really incomparable experience and I know Dustin shared with me the awe and specialness of that event. We will miss you Dustin! In Friendship Ever, -Nick Amatuzzi, Chime #179
I met Dustin at SAP in 2015, he was someone I didn’t get to work with or know in the first year but over our five year overlap, we became sounding boards for each other. He was someone I would often have completely honest open conversation with, we regularly put the world (well SAP) to rights, and we kept in touch regularly (if infrequently) after I left SAP. Most recently, (in August and September this year) we spent a number of evenings on Zoom discussing job roles to help him prepare for interviews and over those I was fully interrogated about the company I now work for – him doing his full due-diligence. That first evening I ended up talking to him for over 3 hours, catching up he shared videos of his latest sporting passion (table tennis) and he spoke with great excitement about it all – I was completely shocked to hear of his passing. I will remember him as an energetic, fun colleague who’s opinion I always valued. Rest in peace Dustin and my condolences to your family.
So, so sorry, Steve and Shayla.
Dustin, you are still a shining star in the universe as you were here on earth. The outpouring of love for you shows how much you were liked, loved, admired and cherished by all who had the pleasure of knowing you. I sure would have enjoyed playing a few rounds of table tennis with you, even though I surely would have lost!
Thank you for the memories we shared.
As a cousin, I have fond memories of you as a child. You always brought light into every room that you stepped into, always. I wish that we would have had more memories together in our adult lives, but I’ll hold the ones that we did have close to heart. My sincerest condolences to the rest of our family.