Thomas William Dupree (Tommy), 80, loving father, grandfather, friend, and community supporter, passed away Tuesday, June 19, 2018.
Tommy was born on January 25, 1938 in Little Rock, AR to P.W. (Pete) and Lorene Dupree, Jr. He attended the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Little Rock University, where he received his business degree. He was a life-long resident of Jacksonville; his entire career was spent working with family in farming and real estate development and construction.
Tommy was a world traveler who loved people, music, history, and the City of Jacksonville. He was tireless in his support of the community through his involvement with youth athletics, Sertoma Club, the Jacksonville Museum of Military History and the development of the Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Heritage Park. His efforts were always in pursuit of making his hometown strong while staying connected to its roots.
Tommy was preceded in death by his father, P. W. Jr., is mother, Lorene, his brothers Pete and Richard, and his granddaughter, Victoria. He is survived by three children Shannon Dupree, Misty Heather Dupree, and Bill Dupree; seven grandchildren Emily Faulkner, Lillian McEntire, Philip, Elliot, and Mina LaBeau, Alexandria and Thomas Dupree. He is also survived by two sisters, Mary Jo DiGuiro and Judy Beale, his sister-in-law, Arleta Dupree, and his brother, Larry Dupree.
Visitation at 10 a.m. followed by a service at 11 a.m. will be held on Saturday, June 23rd, 2018 at the First United Methodist Church, 308 West Main Street, Jacksonville, AR.
Donations in his name may be made to the Reed’s Bridge Battlefield Park c/o Jacksonville Museum of Military History, 100 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville, AR, 72076.
Arrangements have been entrusted to A Natural State Funeral Service, 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas, 72076. 501-982-3400.
An online guestbook is available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
36 Comments
Shannon,
So sorry to hear about your dad. Remember the good times, I know you have lots of special memories of your dad.
Misty,Shannon, Bill and all the Dupree family -I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending thoughts and prayers and love your way.
He was a nice guy and my friend . He made pretty babies and loved to hunt . We got along great . I will never forget our last hunt together and the buck he got. I am really sorry for your loss but happy he is able to rest peaceful now .
So sad to here of the passing of Mr. Dupree, prayers to the family. I went to school with Shannon, I know this is a sad time, my condolences to the family.
Sending my love to the Dupree Family
So sorry for your loss. I pray the memories of your dad give you strength at this most difficult time.
Man oh man…I’m truly sorry to hear this. You all have my love and prayers. Your dad was always one of my mom and dad’s favorite people. I know he will missed and leaves behind an amazing legacy. Heaven has gotten another angel.
Our heartfelt condolences. Kyran & Patrick Houston and the boys.
I will always remember working with “Tommy” on things concerning Jacksonville history, Reeds Bridge and his visions for the future of the area. My heart felt thoughts are with his family at this time.
So sorry for your loss my prayers are with you and your family
Mr. Tommy was a wonderful man whose kindness I will never forget. I played softball in the mid 80s and we had one of the hottest summers on record one year during tournament to go to state. Mr. Tommy provided free ice, as much as any of the teams needed so none of us girls got ill from the heat. His kindness and generosity always stayed with me and he holds a special place in my heart because of it.
Rest in peace Tommy
Rest In Peace, Tommy! You never failed to know everyone when your paths crossed, always had time to stop and talk. We’ll miss you.
Misty, so sorry about your loss but glad you got to spend time with your Dad .
Our sincerest condolences to the family. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. Mr. Tommy will be dearly missed!
Prayers to all the family at this time. Until we all meet again.
Heather…thinking of you and praying for you & your family during this most difficult time. May the memories you have of your life with your father hold you securely in love and strength. May his soul rest in peace & love.
Shannon, Emily and Lillian,
I am so very sorry for your loss. May God Bless you all during this most difficult time. I am sending hugs and kisses to you all. Rest in Peace Tommy!
Thank you so much for your prayers Gail
He will always be remembered as Uncle Tommy to me. Although we are not related, he will always be considered a family member. I hold the entire Dupree family very near and dear to my heart. Praying for all of you. God Bless
I extend my deepest condolences to all of the Dupree family for your tremendous loss. Tommy was a life long friend to me and so many others. He was a lovely man and a fine example of how a life should be lived. We will all miss him but remember him always with love.
Tommy will be missed by so many people. I am sorry for your loss . He was a good friend of mine . I will not be able to attend the service but my thoughts will be there with you all.
Tommy was an Icon in Jacksonville. A friend to many and his support was constant for the progress of the City. His passion for the Reed’s Bridge project was always evident. He will be
missed by many. God Speed Tommy !
Lillian, Sending my deepest condolences to you and your family at this time. I know it is never easy to lose the patriarch of a family. Your grandfather sounded like a wonderful man. May you cherish your memories and continue to feel his love and remember his teachings.
Tommy was a kind and gentle man. I was a member with him of the Arkansas Civil War Heritage Trails Association. He took a deep and lasting interest in the history of his home town, and he was the president of our organization. We will miss him greatly.
Saddened by your loss. Prayers for peace and comfort for all of you during this difficult time.
Tommy was awesome person . I am really sorry for the lost for Dupree family. His soul is in GOD home now . RIP
Sending our thoughts and prayers to the family. RIL Tommy.
Tommy was a good man ,his family gave my dad his first job after moving to Jacksonville in the sixty’s. He will be missed , my condolences the the family.
All our prays and condolences to the family.
So sorry to hear about the passing if Tommy. Just heard about his passing today. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
My condolences to the Dupree family. I knew Tommy through his grandchildren Ally and Thomas who were regular visitors to First Christian Church in Sherwood. They have been a joy to watch grow, and I have enjoyed seeing the legacy Tommy left them and to his community. We share a passion for local history. The Dupree family has been a pioneering family to Jacksonville and continues to be. Your Sherwood neighbors will continue to keep in prayer and support in any way we can.
Another part of Jacksonville has left us. Rest In Peace Tommy
Sending thoughts and prayers for peace to the Dupree family. Tommy will be greatly missed by many.
We have known Tommy for many years. We considered him a good friend and someone you could trust and depend on. He held true to his word. He was dedicated to Jacksonville and wanted the city to progress. He and the Dupree family made a lasting mark in this city and he will be missed. We are sorry we did not make the funeral but did not learn of his passing until it was too late to attend. Larry, we are thinking of you at this time. Our prayers to the entire Dupree family.
Tommy will be missed by all of us. He was a great guy, an AR Civil War buff who had no equal, and one of the ramrods of the Civil War in Central AR, who inspired and led others. His work on Reed’s Bridge Battlefield (now a park) was monumental, and I will always remember the two together. What a difference he made to that effort, as well as to many other civic projects in his concern for his community. We are all better off for what he did to help commemorate that conflict for the future and to understand better the Little Rock Campaign. I am very grateful and privileged to have known him and to have shared with him some good times together which I will always remember. The world needs more like him.
Don F. Hamilton
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