DATE: Saturday, August 9, 1997              TAG: 9708090205

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B6   EDITION: FINAL 

DATELINE: RALEIGH                           LENGTH:   45 lines

JOHN L. DUPREE

John Louis Dupree, 89, departed this life Aug. 8, 1997. Born Jan. 17, 1908, in Magnolia, Texas, he was a longtime resident of Windsor prior to living in the Meadowbrook Terrace Nursing Home, Raleigh.

He came to North Carolina in 1927 to attend Wake Forest College on a football scholarship. During his college days, he was an outstanding student athlete. He was ``all-state'' in football as a guard, and in 1948 was voted the ``All Wake Forest'' football squad. He also held the school record in the javelin throw until 1957. In addition to his athletic achievements, he earned the Royster Medal given by Wake Forest for the athlete earning the highest grade point average.

After graduation, he accepted the head coaching position at Cannon High School in Kannapolis. In 1935, he met and married Ruth Burkett of Lewiston. While he was coaching, he earned a master's degree in education from Duke University.

In 1938, he accepted the job of principal of Cannon High School, which he held until 1946 when he was appointed to the superintendent position with Bertie County schools. He held this position until his retirement in 1973.

During his life in Windsor, he participated in numerous civic activities. He is a current member of the Masonic Order, Charity Lodge No. 5, was a Rotarian, and a member of the Windsor United Methodist Church. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting and fishing with his many friends in Windsor. His accomplishments in the field of education and Bertie County were many during his 27-year career. He and Ruth loved Windsor and he steadfastly refused to leave when promotional opportunities were presented. Upon his retirement in 1973, they continued to live in Windsor, until Ruth's death in 1989. In 1991, he moved to Raleigh, where he lived until his passing.

He is survived by a son, John Louis Dupree Jr. and his wife, Polly, of New Hill, N.C.; a sister, Mae Garrison Neal of Freeport, Texas; two grandchildren, Paulette Dupree Brown of Greenville, John Louis Dupree II of Greenville; and a great-grandchild, Jamie Hoston Brown of Greenville.

A funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday at the Windsor United Methodist Church by the Rev. Clyde Denny. Burial will follow in Edgewood Cemetery. Memorial gifts may be made to the Windsor United Methodist Church, 408 South Queen St., Windsor. The family will receive friends at the residence of Karen Spruill, 408 Belmont St. Walker Funeral Home, Windsor, is in charge. KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY

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