Dustin Rees

CENTENNIAL, Colo. — Dustin Lee Rees, 44, of Centennial passed away Thursday, July 20, 2023.

He was born Jan. 17, 1979, in Jackson to Danny Rees and Sandra De Kasten Boyd.

Dustin was a very charismatic and outgoing person, who loved trying and exploring new things. He never met a stranger wherever he went and was a true and loyal friend to everyone and anyone. He had a passion for riding his BMW Adventure motorcycle, biking, fishing, camping and 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 he could contribute to and improve their purpose.

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 and 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 a Bronze Star.

He was currently pursuing his electrical engineering degree at the University of Colorado-Denver. He was a graduate of Jackson High School.

Dustin is survived by his loving wife, Michelle Rees, and his two sons, Sammy Rees and Hunter Rees. He is also survived by his brothers, Tyler Rees and Kyle Rees; his father, Danny; mother, Sandra De; and grandfather, Don Rees, all of Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Visitation for family will be from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 24, followed by visitation for the public from 4:30 to 8 p.m. at Olinger Chapel Hill, 6601 S. Colorado Blvd., in Centennial.

Funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 25, at the funeral home, followed by a reception from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

A committal service and military honors ceremony will be at 2 p.m. Friday, July 25, at Pikes Peak National Cemetery, 10545 Drennan Road in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date in Cape Girardeau.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to be made in Dustin's honor to Wounded Warriors Family Support at www.WWFS.org, Semper Fi Fund at www.TheFund.org, and K9s for Warriors at www.K9sForWarriors.org.

Dustin Lee Rees 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.