Raymond E. DuPre

Raymond DuPre Obituary

Dec. 16, 1938 - Feb. 8, 2007

Raymond Edward DuPre, 68, of Billings, passed away Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007, after a two and a half year battle against cancer.
Raymond was born Dec. 16, 1938, in St. Paul, Minn., the son of Willard (Duke) and Miami (Dokey) DuPre. After finishing his schooling in 1956, Ray entered the Air Force, where he was known as "Baby Snooks" to the Golden Glove boxers. He was honorably discharged in 1958, and later that year, he married Beatrice Barnes. They were married for 36 years before separating and remaining close friends. Afterwards, Ray spent the rest of his years with his longtime companion, Kathie Harrington, whom he truly loved and adored.
In his early years, Ray worked on the railroad; however, his gift was in sales, where he worked at a number of places, the latest of which was Billings Nissan, where he had numerous friendships. Ray retired in 2004, but he continued to try and make deals from his couch.
Ray was preceded in death by his father, Willard J. DuPre; and his sister, Judy Arlt. Raymond is survived by his mother, Miami L. DuPre; two daughters, Raeann (David) Doll and Sherrae (Dennis) Rumsey; and one sister, Mabel (Royce) Hoffman. He had four grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Michael Doll, Brandy and Chris Groscop and son Jace (Jaybird) Lenz, Denise and Wayne Lewis and their children, Kiara, Thad and MaKayla, Dennis G. Rumsey and his fiancée Shelly Harris; and longtime companion Kathleen Harrington; and special aunt, Raydeen Larson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Ray was very dedicated to Kathie, as well as being a wonderful father, grandfather and great-grandfather. His love and devotion to family and friends will be missed by all who knew him.
A special thanks goes out to Big Sky Hospice, everyone at Aspen Meadows that loved and cared for him, Barnett Opticians, Dr. Kristi Schied, and to Dr. Cobb and his staff at the Hematology Oncology Centers.
A memorial service is planned and will be held at St. Thomas Church at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 13. Arrangements by Cremation or Funeral Gallery.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Billings Gazette on Feb. 11, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Raymond DuPre

9 Entries

Brandy Groscop

February 18, 2007

I would like everyone who has loved or been a friend of our family to know that we appriecate everything and everyone's words... We loved him from the bottom of our hearts and he will be truly missed...If you ever had the chance to meet him, you already know what I am talking about... He had a way with people that no one could understand but they just loved being around him..He was always eating or laughing and that is what our family would like everyone to remember.. Thank you again for all your support and generosity during this difficult time.

I love you Papa and will always,
Brandy (Bingo)

Teresa Reil

February 15, 2007

To All of Ray's family and friends, the emptyness you now feel will soon be filled with wonderful memories of Ray. My deepest condolences go out to all of you.

Love Always Teresa

James Rumsey

February 15, 2007

As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.

MEL WEIGEL

February 14, 2007

RAY WAS A GOOD MAN

Denise Vogel

February 12, 2007

Raeann, David, Sherrae, Dennis, Bea, Mabel,and Kathie, it was a pleasure to know Ray. He was a kind, generous and caring man to all those he knew. He will be missed greatly by all those who he knew. May God hold you all in the palm of His hand and comfort you in your loss.

Susan Doll

February 12, 2007

No bond is as great as that between a parent and child. My deepest condolences are with you as you grieve.

Garlena Rumsey

February 11, 2007

Ray was a good man with a kind heart and would help anyone in any way he could. He will be greatly missed. He now shares with his daughter Sherrae a birthday. She was brought into this world on Feb.8 and Ray was brought into God's arms and reborn into Heaven. He will remain in our hearts forever. My thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Garlena Rumsey

February 11, 2007

To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.

Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."

It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."

God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.

When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.

I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.

There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.

If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.

So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.

And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.

Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998-2007

jennifer

February 11, 2007

I am an employee of Aspen Meadows and as one of Ray's caregivers I had the pleasure of getting to know him. Even on the nights that Ray kept us busy and on our feet he was still a great guy. You only meet a few people in your lifetime that will always remain with you one way or another and one of those people was Ray. There was something about Ray that made him stand out above the rest and I liked it when we could make him smile for it could light up a room and it made our night at work pleasant. I was there the night that Ray passed and I had a few moments and a few tears. Ray will always be missed and forever remembered. My prayers are with you all. God Bless...

Showing 1 - 9 of 9 results