Orville J. Dupree

Orville John DuPree, 83, of Lenexa, Kansas, passed away November 3, 2010. Orville was born January 7, 1927, in St. Joseph, Missouri, to Joseph and Mabel DuPree. He rose from a childhood of poverty to become a self-made business success. Growing up in the middle of ten children on a family farm during the Depression had its share of hardships, but also instilled a will and determination that Orville would carry with him throughout his life. In his mind as a child, he probably thought he had all the comforts one needed. There was running water, even if it was a half-mile walk away through snow and ice and called the Missouri River. There was the 3-holer outhouse. There was food, at least a potato or two a day.

After his brother, Arthur's death at Pearl Harbor, he attempted to join the Navy. Not weighing enough to meet the minimum enlistment requirement, he went outside and gorged himself on as much water and bananas as he could ingest, then went back in and barely passed the scales, even if it was for that instant alone. He served as a Seaman First Class and became an Aviation Machinists Mate. After the war, he graduated with honors in Engineering from the University of Missouri at Columbia. Following college, he worked for the Corps of Engineers and American Standard. In 1970, he formed the O.J. DuPree Company and built it into a thriving business that continues today. Even though he earned certification as a Professional Engineer, he was too humble to attach the "P.E." suffix to any of his business cards.

But more important than his business to him was his family. He adored his wife of 57 years, Lois; he delighted in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchild; and he cherished the company of his brothers and sisters. And he used his success to enrich his community and honor his family; later in life, he donated land to the State of Missouri for use as a state park, on condition that it be named for his fallen brother. That land became the Arthur DuPree Memorial Conservation Area outside St. Joseph. As the end drew near, he looked back on his life and said he would not change a thing.

Orville was preceded in death by his father and mother, three brothers, Arthur, Raymond and Frank, 2 brother-in-laws, Harley Freeman and Jack Cain, a sister-in-law, Shirley DuPree, and his daughter-in-law, Coco DesJardins, all of whom he loved dearly. He is survived by his loving wife, Lois, of the home; three sons, Gregg, Kevin and Scott; a daughter, Janiece, her husband, Rick Cline; three grandchildren, Jennifer Jamo, Adam Cline, and Travis Cline; one great-grandson, Parker Jamo; three brothers, Alfred, Lloyd and Harvey; three sisters, Mildred, Hazel and Gladys; and countless nieces and nephews.

Dad was the light and the anchor of our family. We will always love him. We will always miss him. May we try to be but a small reflection of the great man he was.

Visitation and Funeral Service

Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Friday, November 5, 2010, at the Amos Family Chapel of Shawnee. Funeral Service will be at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, November 6, 2010, at the chapel. Burial to follow at Pleasant View Cemetery, Shawnee, Kansas.