Mr. Thomas O'Hagan DuPree, Jr., age 89 of Blairsville, Georgia, passed away Thursday night, January 24, 2008.
Mr. DuPree was the son of a North Carolina family who moved to Miami, Florida in 1923 when he was 4 years old. He graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1937 and was headed to the University of Florida when his summer employer offered him a business partnership which led to a very successful 50 year career as a contractor and flooring subcontractor in Florida and Georgia. Taking leave of his business during WWII he joined the Army Air Corps as a young officer and piloted B24 missions over both Europe and Asia. After the war he returned to Miami to his business and growing family.
Mr. DuPree discovered the North Georgia mountains during the 70's and traveled there frequently. Subsequently, he built a home there. By 1988 he had retired and moved to Blairsville permanently.
His passions included anything automotive. He raced sports cars competitively until he was in his early 60's and he always enjoyed "call of the open road" as he traveled in his various motor homes through or to all 49 continental United States and much of Canada.
He never lost the twinkle in his eye and his smile could light up a room. He is survived by his wife of 35 years,
Susan Shafer DuPree of Blairsville ; son, Daniel DuPree of Atlanta; son, Joseph DuPree of Fernandina Beach, Florida; daughter, Anne Jones of Chicago, Illinois; step-daughter, Pamela Easley of Hendersonville, North Carolina; sister, Ysobel Litchfield of Washington, North Carolina; sister, Jeanne Patterson of Miami, Florida; grandchildren: Joseph DuPree, Bradford DuPree, Tommy DuPree, Caitlan DuPree, Boone DuPree, Susan Jones, Mary Jones, and Laura Anne Jones.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5-7 p.m. , Saturday evening, January 26th.
If you wish, the family suggests that Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois 60601-7633.