Charles R. Dupree

Charles Richard DuPree was born in Birmingham, Alabama on the 17th day of December in 1937 to parents Johnnie and Katie Lou (both deceased).  He is one of four children – two older sisters, Elnora and Venora, who preceded him in death, and a younger brother, Raymond. 

Charles, or Chuck, as he was lovingly known, moved with his family to Newark, Ohio when he was a small child.  He graduated from Newark High School in 1956 and then traveled around as a member of a singing group, hoping to make it big like The Drifters, The O’Jays, and The Temptations.  He joined the Air Force a year later, from which he received an honorable discharge.  Chuck then went on to computer school and gained the skills to become a Computer Operator, which became his career until retirement.

He met his wife and partner of 52 years, Juanita Smith, while working at Standard Oil, and they married in April of 1970.  Through life’s ups and downs, they remained together until his passing. 

Chuck has five children for whom he adored - Muhammad (Chuckie), Renee, Letricia, Corey, and Erica.  His eyes would light up every time he would speak about them, and he would brag about them to whoever would listen.  And he was crazy about his 10 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. 

As a die-hard Cleveland Browns fan, you could always find Chuck watching the game during the season on Sundays with his best friend, Houston, hooping and hollering the entire time.  He also enjoyed listening to music, dancing, watching war movies and westerns, and of course, hanging out with family and friends whenever he had the chance.

Chuck departed this life on January 12, 2023, the Thursday after the Browns played their final game.  He said he wanted to make it through the end of the season, and he did, having watched that last game from his hospice room at the Cleveland VA Hospital. 

He leaves behind to cherish his memories, his wife, Juanita DuPree; his brother, Raymond DuPree of Denver, CO; his children, Muhammad Aleem (Shannon) of Atlanta, GA, Renee Wilson (Jimmy) of Atlanta, GA, Letricia Brooks (Darrell) of Cleveland, OH, Corey DuPree (Renee) of Atlanta, GA, and Erica DiCara (Charles) of Glen Burnie, MD; his grandchildren, Mya, Joseph, Muhammad, Jr., Carmen, Leshante, Tanisha, Quinton, Kailah, Asia, and Coree; and a host of great-grandchildren, other relatives, and close friends.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Charles R. Dupree, please visit our floral store.