Obituary

Johnny Edward Dupree Jr. was born September 18, 1968 to Johnny Edward Dupree Sr. and Vernell Smith Dupree in Marlin, Texas, where he was baptized into The Church of the Living God.  He passed away on October 2, 2021 in Goodyear, Arizona.

Johnny attended Marlin ISD schools where he excelled in all his classes and was inducted into the National Honors Society. From the ages of 8 to 18, he was a member of the 4-H club and won many medals and awards for his show of animals, cooking, and arts and crafts. He played football and participated in other track and field events as a star athlete. In 1987, he graduated as the first black Valedictorian to come out of Marlin.

After graduating, Johnny attended Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. He majored in petroleum engineering and was the Bonfire Crew Chief for Hart Hall. Soon after, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. Johnny served our country from 1991-1995. From then on, he worked in the tech industry, primarily at American Express.

Johnny lived to make everyone around him brighter. He didn’t meet strangers, he met new friends. People from all walks of life were drawn to him, and he welcomed them with open arms. He loved to attend weekly karaoke, go salsa dancing, and he really loved dining out. He believed in living his life to the fullest, and although Johnny had a full social calendar, he always made time to help those in need.

Johnny was preceded in death by both his father and mother. He leaves behind his sister Beverly Dupree-Bailey of Waco, Texas, his brother Edgar Dupree of Marlin, Texas, and a host of nieces and nephews.

The most important part of his life was fatherhood. He leaves behind four children: Bethany Dupree, 27; Jessica Dupree, 22; Abigail Dupree, 20; and Johnny Dupree III, 15. Johnny was unmarried at the time of his death, but he always said that he already had the loves of his life. His world was made complete by his children.

Not everyone is capable of leaving such a legacy of love and friendship. He will be forever missed by his hundreds of friends, admirers, and family members.

A service will be held for Johnny at 2pm on Sunday, October 10, 2021 at Thompson Funeral Chapel and a wake will follow La Perla Sports Cantina.

You can view a slideshow HERE.