Stories

Dustin Rees

Dustin Rees was an amazing person with a heart of gold. He had a distinguished military career, including periods in the U.S. Marine Corps as well as the Missouri Army National Guard. His bravery and dedication earned him various awards, including two Bronze Stars and a Meritorious Service Medal. Dustin passed away in July 2023 at the age of 44. His brain was later donated to the UNITE Brain Bank for study. Below, Dustin’s family shares his Legacy Story.

Dustin Lee Rees was a very charismatic and outgoing person, who loved trying and exploring new things. Born on January 17, 1979 in Jackson, Missouri, he never met a stranger wherever he went and was a loyal friend to everyone. He had a passion for the outdoors, whether riding his BMW adventure motorcycle, biking, fishing, or camping, in addition to playing guitar. Dustin also had a keen interest in electronics and learning about new technologies. He would spend countless hours researching the best gadgets for any adventure and how they could be made even better.

Dustin had a distinguished military career, serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 to 2003 and the Missouri Army National Guard from 2004 to 2019. He deployed three times during his nearly 20 years of service. Dustin was part of the initial invasion into Iraq in 2003-2004 with the U.S. Marine Corps, served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005-2006 with the 110th Engineers Battalion, and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan in 2012-2013 with the 1138th Engineering Company. His bravery and dedication earned him numerous awards, including two Bronze Stars and a Meritorious Service Medal.

Before his death, Dustin was pursuing his electrical engineering degree at the University of Colorado – Denver. He was a graduate of Jackson High School.

Dustin passed away on July 20, 2023 at the age of 44. He is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Rees, of Centennial, Colorado; two sons, Sammy Rees, his wife Holly Rees and daughter Margaux, and Hunter Rees, his wife Zoe Rees, all of Jackson, Missouri. He is also survived by his brothers, Tyler Rees and Kyle Rees; his father, Danny Rees; mother, Sandra Dee Kasten (Boyd); and grandfather, Don Rees, all of Cape Girardeau and Jackson, Missouri.

Dustin will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing him. May his memory live on in our hearts forever.