REV. JEROME DUPREE: A LIFE WELL LIVED
Retired educator and former mayor of the City of Sarasota, Rev. Jerome Dupree, has passed. He was 88 years old. Rev. Dupree was well respected by his colleagues, students, friends and community workers. He was known as “Newtown’s prince”, an awesome man of God with unwavering love for human beings.”
Rev. Dupree graduated from Booker High School in 1953 and was class valedictorian. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Masters of Education degrees from Florida A&M University. He also obtained a Certificate in Administration/Supervision from the University of Florida and Doctor of Ministry, Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Divinity degrees from Love of God Theological Seminary. Rev. Dupree worked as a teacher, principal, director and coordinator in the Sarasota County School System. He was a Director of the North County Community School and Executive Director of the Community Action Program, and also worked as a Community Outreach Specialist and Early Intervention Specialist at Coastal Recovery Center.
At the age of 21, Rev. Dupree began his teaching career. After 10 years, he left the profession and held several positions before returning to the school system at the age of 34 years. “Mr. Dupree was a very caring, knowledgeable and devoted educator,” said Raymell B. Grimes, who became his secretary in August 1960. “During his tenure as principal, he was a strong advocate for educating children and creating a desirable, convenient atmosphere for his teachers and staff members. He was active in the community and well known for participating on community programs, often reciting poems,” Grimes said.
“As his secretary, I always admired how he respected and treated all individuals with whom he came in contact with, whether it was a child, a parent, co-worker or total stranger. He always listened to others with passion and exemplified in every way he was a Christian. So, it was no surprise to me when he became a minister and leader of a church.”
In 1981, he became pastor of the Koinonia Missionary Baptist Church.
One of Rev. Dupree’s students, Sandra Washington, speaks highly of him as not only her principal but as a community leader. “Rev. Dupree was not only my high school principal, but a community leader and a genuine individual. He instilled a “can do” attitude in his students, steering us into a better direction. Our future was meaningful to him. Most importantly, his role as a leader was priceless! He always wanted to lend a helping hand. He often recited a poem by R. Lee Sharpe, A Bag of Tools: isn’t it strange how princes and kings and clowns that caper in stardust rings, and common people, like you and me, are builders for eternity? Each is given a bag of tools, a shapeless mass, and a book of rules. And each must make an era in which life is flown, a stumbling block or stepping stones.’ Rev. Dupree is a loss in this community and abroad. May he rest in peace.”
Because of his love for community, Rev. Dupree wanted to be involved and decided to run for Sarasota City Commission. He was elected in 1995 and served for four years, a term as Vice Mayor and a term as Mayor. Willie C. Shaw, who served on the city commission for 9-1/2 years, serving three consecutive terms as Mayor, commented on what inspired him the most about Rev. Dupree. “For those of us who were raised under Rev. Dr. Dupree, any way you followed him was inspirational in that he was always there and always ready,” Rev. Shaw said. “He was the consummate professional and a real soldier in the field with integrity and intestinal fortitude. He was always available and responsive to the needs of the people. I likened his work to the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of the wall. Rev. Dupree was on the wall and once he got there, he did not come down. His work is now done.”
For more than 30 years, Rev. Dupree spent time working to improve education in this community, serving on numerous boards, some of which included Children First, Interfaith Interracial Council, Sarasota County Branch NAACP, Mote Marine Laboratory Board of Trustees, Second Chance Last Opportunity and Pines of Sarasota Board of Trustees. He also served on the New College of Florida’s Board of Trustees and was also appointed Dean of Students for the Love of God Theological Seminary where he was the first person of color inducted in the Cultural Archives Hall of Fame.
Vickie J. Oldham, CEO of the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, had many opportunities to interview Rev. Dupree for the Newtown Alive project. “Someone called Rev. Dupree a ‘prince’ on my Facebook page. I agree,” she said.
“He had an intellectual ability to write and present powerful, transformative messages to any audience. I know him as a principled and spiritual man of style, grace and charm. I’m blessed to have had the opportunity to interview him and listen to recitations from his repertoire of poems, some of which are recorded. May his legacy and spirit live forever!”
Over the past 37 years, Rev. Dupree received numerous awards and honors, including the Negro College Meritorious Service to Higher Learning Award, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Award and in 2011 was the recipient of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Sarasota County Branch NAACP. Trevor Harvey had this to say: “Rev. Dupree was a stature of a man to many of us young lads in the community,” he said. “He personally taught me how to walk in humility and realize the work is about God and not for self-interest. His commanding voice will be missed, but he will be remembered forever.”
Former mayor and the City of Sarasota’s first African American city commissioner, Fredd Atkins succinctly characterized Rev. Dupree. “Pastor/Doctor Jerome Dupree will be remembered by me as the fairest, kindest and most loving person I have ever known.”
Rev. Dupree leaves to mourn his passing, his wife Minnie Loman Dupree, three children, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. A celebration of life is planned for this weekend, with a wake on Friday from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. and the homegoing service on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., at Light of the World Church, 3809 Chapel Drive, Sarasota.
