Four years ago, on August 31, 2020, the Pahrump community lost a beloved figure, Michael “Dusty” Park, who passed away after a courageous battle with health issues. Dusty was a pillar of the community, deeply involved in youth sports and known for his relentless dedication to providing opportunities for young athletes in Pahrump.
Dusty’s death was primarily caused by complications from hemochromatosis, a genetic condition that causes the body to absorb too much iron resulting in a buildup of iron in the organs and in his case led to liver cirrhosis. Although he also battled cancer, it was the severe state of his liver that placed too much stress on his remaining kidney, contributing to his passing. Despite these health challenges, Dusty’s passion for youth sports and his community never wavered.
Dusty, a 2000 graduate of Pahrump Valley High School, grew up playing soccer, following in the footsteps of his mother and older brothers. From a young age, he developed a passion for the game, inspired by his family’s involvement—his mother played in an adult league in Phoenix, his brothers were active players, and his father coached their teams. Dusty continued this tradition by playing soccer at PVHS, with a love for the sport that would greatly influence his later life. Outside of his dedication to youth sports, Dusty worked at Valley Electric as Maintenance Supervisor, where he was known not just for his work ethic but also for his commitment to his community and his willingness to help others.
Dusty’s passion for nurturing young talent led him to take over the mini dwarf class of dirt track racing at the Pahrump Valley Speedway. The origins of the mini dwarf racing community began with Cliff King and his son, Aries King, who was the first driver in the class around 2012. Dusty became involved in the racing scene in 2016 and took the program over in 2017 as Aries moved up to racing quads and Cliff’s schedule became too busy. Dusty worked closely with Eric Shenberger, who built the frame and body of the carts. Dusty would then send these carts out for powder coating and handle the final assembly, ensuring each car was race-ready.
Dusty’s vision was not just to create a racing class but to make the sport accessible to kids. He secured sponsors to raffle off a mini dwarf car, giving many local children a chance to participate. Dusty’s efforts didn’t stop there. He built several mini dwarf cars himself, ensuring that more kids could get involved in the sport he loved. “When Dusty took over the Southern Nevada Mini Dwarfs, he would get so excited when he found a better part to replace a junk one or even found a way to add camber to the little cars,” recalled Joel Dean, a close friend. “At one point, I think we had over 30 mini dwarfs racing. He went as far as spending his own money getting headsets and sealing the motors to make the racing more even.”
The kids were Dusty’s passion, and he poured his heart and soul into making both racing and soccer accessible to as many young people as possible. “He would eat, breathe, and sleep racing and soccer, but usually for the kids,” Dean said. “His dedication was second to none.”
Alongside his contributions to racing, Dusty played a crucial role in developing youth soccer in Pahrump. The Junior Trojans Soccer Club was initially established in late 2016 by Danny Coleman, Jimmy Martinez, and Amy Carlson, who aimed to offer a year-round competitive soccer program. “A group of parents, who all coached against each other in AYSO, came together to create a year-round competitive soccer option,” Carlson explained. “We really had no idea what the future held.” Dusty joined the club in 2017, starting both a boys’ and girls’ team so his children, Khylarann and Kohlzin, could participate. “The program really took off when we added the Rec League, which Dusty spearheaded and helped significantly grow,” Carlson added.
Dusty’s involvement marked a significant expansion of the program. Recognizing that some families couldn’t afford or didn’t want to travel, Dusty helped expand the club to include a recreational league in 2019. This initiative ensured that every child had the chance to play, regardless of their financial situation, and helped foster a strong soccer culture in Pahrump. “After we formed the Rec league, Dusty became president, Jimmy was Vice President, and I was Treasurer,” Carlson added. “Dusty always had a way of getting people involved and really worked to build up the players.”
Dusty’s dreams for the soccer community extended far beyond just the local leagues. “He had huge dreams and was on the way to making big things happen,” Dean shared. “He went as far as getting the land almost donated, people willing to build a building, and people willing to back him.” His commitment, and the club, directly contributed to the growth of the high school soccer program, ultimately leading to two state championships in girls’ soccer at Pahrump Valley High School. His efforts helped develop a strong pipeline of talent and a thriving soccer culture in the community.
Even now, Dusty’s influence is felt on the soccer field. Spectators at PVHS soccer games often feel his presence in spirit, hearing his famous “Unlucky” echo in the air whenever a play doesn’t go the team’s way. “I hear his voice a lot,” Amber said, reflecting on watching her kids play this season. His encouragement and passion for the game continue to inspire both players and fans alike.
“One thing was for sure, he was always ready for a good time and found a way to see the positive side in any situation,” Carlson noted. “Dusty was truly a good human being, and I cherish the time I got to spend with him, especially during his last couple of years. We both shared a joy in living life through soccer and building an organization to give back to our community.”
Even as he battled illness, Dusty continued to coach and support his teams. He started getting sick at the very beginning of 2019, but that didn’t slow him down. Dusty remained a constant presence at the soccer fields and the racetrack, pouring his energy into the sports he loved and the kids he mentored. “The selflessness this guy lived was beyond amazing,” Dean said. “He would put soccer kids and racing kids first, always. He would take the soccer team out to eat on his own dime and pay for the kids who were less fortunate or who just forgot money.”
Dusty’s generosity extended beyond coaching and mentoring. He often paid out of his own pocket for kids to participate in sports. “Kind, generous, and didn’t know how to say no to anyone,” Amber Park, Dusty’s wife, described him. “He would do anything to get the kids involved in soccer or racing, even if it meant money out of his own pocket or working with local businesses to sponsor them.”
Dusty’s impact was felt far and wide in the community, and his legacy lives on through his family. His daughter, Khylarann, now a senior, and his son, Kohlzin, a junior, both play soccer for Pahrump Valley High School (PVHS), carrying forward their father’s passion and commitment to the sport he loved. His eldest, Koreylyn, remains a cherished part of the family, along with her daughter, Jocelyn Renee Martin, who, at four years old, has a feisty spirit that Dusty would have thoroughly enjoyed.
“Dusty has left a lasting legacy in our community, and I am honored to still be connected to Amber and his kids, to watch them grow as they continue his legacy,” Carlson said. “Dusty was also a co-worker, but more than that, he was a friend. I miss our conversations on life, family, and coaching.”
Dusty’s life was marked by an unwavering commitment to helping others, and his legacy lives on in the countless young lives he touched, whether on the soccer field, the racetrack, or through his kindness and dedication to the community. To have known Dusty was to have been blessed by his spirit and dedication, and his contributions to Pahrump will be remembered for generations to come.
