Felipe Dupree

Felipe Aswald Hamilton Dupree

1935 – 2024

 Felipe Aswald Hamilton Dupree was born to William and Floripa Dupree from Espanola, New Mexico on November 4, 1935, in the small town of La Villita. He was the first born followed by his siblings Carolina, Dorothy, Thomas, Raymundo, and Melva Dupree.

 Felipe is preceded by his wife, Zoraida Dupree, his granddaughter, Nicole Dupree, his sons-in-law Scott Leahy & Jim Chatfield, sister Carolina Sanchez brothers Thomas & Raymundo Dupree, and his father and mother, William and Floripa Dupree. He leaves behind his 5 children Wanda Chatfield of Ontario, Dolores Dupree-Cregar (Jeff Cregar) of Whittier, Tammy Dupree-Leahy of Victorville, William Dupree (Jana Dupree) of Ontario, and Mathew Dupree of Bell Gardens. Felipe had 11 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great great grandchildren. He went with Our Lord on November 23, 2024, at 8:54am.

 In 1957, at the young age of 23, Felipe and his wife Zoraida, 22, took a leap of faith to leave their home in New Mexico to come to California to seek a better life for his family. After a week of searching endlessly Felipe, discouraged and feeling disappointed, told his wife that if he did not find anything by the end of the day, which was Friday, they would be returning to their homeland tomorrow, Saturday. The Lord was listening to Felipe’s prayers because he landed a job that Friday with Rockwell International, also known today as Boeing. He was hired and trained to work in the Space Division of Rockwell. In his 43-year tenure Felipe worked various positions, however primarily as a “tube mockup mechanic”. He was instrumental in providing the skills he was trained in to place satellites above the earth’s orbit along with utilizing his skills in the aircrafts, such as those in all of the Apollo Missions, along with all space shuttles, including the model, that Nasa put in space. His skills in precision and accuracy were Felipe’s trademark. As the “go to guy”, if his name was on the work order, they knew the job was perfectly executed. He proudly met with a few astronauts during his time employed. Felipe also had the privilege to work proudly alongside his son, William Dupree in the years of William’s employment with Boeing. Felipe, known as “Cisco” to all of his co-workers, received awards and honors for the quality of work that he proudly accomplished during his years with Boeing. 

 Felipe had a great love for fishing. He was an avid fisherman. From New Mexico to California, he loved fishing for catfish. He loved the size and the fight of that catfish, but mostly the way his wife, Sadie, fried them cats. He loved fishing with his sons the most. If he couldn’t get them to go, he would settle for his son-in laws, Scott and Jeff, whom he always referred to as “wedos”. The Colorado River at Parker AZ was his favorite spot. Unfortunately, it was not just the river he loved, they also had a casino on the banks of the river where he loved the “butterfly” slot machines. If he wasn’t having any luck fishing, he made up for it at the casino. He loved Arizona and he loved the river. He had the patience of Job waiting for those catfish to bite. He had a love for cars. He loved that brand new 1957 Chevy he purchased after landing his job with Rockwell. He either helped get or gave each one of his children a car to get them back and forth to work. He traveled many of years in that Chevy with his family to/from New Mexico to visit his family and friends that he left behind. Above all Felipe loved his children and his wife of 71 years. He taught his children respect, strong work ethic, and responsibility. “There’s no excuse in being late to work”, he’d say. “If you run out of something to do, pick up a broom and sweep. Never find yourself standing around doing nothing.”, he would tell his children. He was proud they had all grown up to be fine young men and women. He never took credit for discipling his kids, he said it was his wife, Zoraida, who had done such a wonderful job. His wife went home with the Lord on October 23, 2019. 

 In closing, Felipe was a man of integrity. He was looked up to and respected by all of those who knew him and loved him. He was the “Rock” that all his family leaned on. Although not a church goer, Felipe knew the Lord and believed in Jesus Christ. He was very private about his heart and feelings. Rough in his demeanor some might say, rough with his words. Always because he wanted the best for his kids and those he loved. He is home now with his wife who he longed to be with in the last days of his life. Let us all remember God’s promise in John 3:16. 

This is not goodbye, but simply.

“Till We Meet Again”