Dr. John DuBose

1934 - 2026

Dr. John McNeely DuBose of Hillsborough, North Carolina was born October 6, 1934 at Watts Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. He was predeceased by his parents, D. St. Pierre DuBose and Valinda Hill DuBose of Meadowmont Farms, his brother, D. St. Pierre DuBose, Jr., of Durham, North Carolina and his sister, Frances Faison DuBose Bradley Bohlayer, of Dawsonville, Georgia. Dr. DuBose attended the Calvert School in Durham, Millbrook School in New York and graduated in 1951 from Chapel Hill High School. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill graduating in 1955 with a degree in zoology. While at Carolina he was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity as well as Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the Phi Beta Kappa Society where he served as vice president. He was admitted to Johns Hopkins Medical School receiving his M.D. degree in 1959. Upon completion of his degree he married Martha Ann Stockton of Franklin, North Carolina with whom he had five sons. Returning to his home state he spent seven years in surgical training at Duke University School of Medicine where he became Chief Resident. He accepted a commission in the United States Army, training at Fort Bragg followed by a year in Vietnam at the 93rd Evac hospital. After returning from Vietnam he founded Kinston Surgical Associates with Dr. Frank Sabiston. In 1983 he married Lynne Koehler Erwin, of Durham NC becoming stepfather to three lovely daughters. After he retired from active practice he returned to his roots in Orange County in 1993 becoming involved in land development leading to the creation of the Cedars of Chapel Hill and the Meadowmont community.

Dr. DuBose's medical skills touched many people's lives starting with his service in the Vietnam war. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic and meritorious service in combat. His practice in Kinston, North Carolina, included many members of the community and surrounds. His patients came from all walks of life and he was known to charge what his patients could pay rather than what his fee schedule suggested. He often remarked that he was so lucky to have a job he loved.

A lifelong outdoor enthusiast, Mac and his sons hunted and fished extensively especially enjoying their time at Camp Bryan where Mac passed on his values of sportsmanship and a deep respect for the environment.

Together with his wife Lynne, he was a tireless competitor in the sport of retriever field trials. He trained and competed successfully with many dogs over more than fifty years. Mac's retrievers were multitaskers. They were his hunting companions, his field trial competitors and most importantly, his house pets. Along the way he and Lynne traveled across the United States training and competing on grounds that are among the most spectacular natural areas in our country. Mac and his amazing dog, Zinger, achieved the highest award in the retriever field trial community when they won the 2002 National Open Retriever championship.

He is survived by sons John McNeely DuBose, Jr. (Alice) of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, William Hill DuBose (Paige) of Greensboro, North Carolina, Blaine Stockton DuBose (Martha Anne) of Greensboro, North Carolina, David Horner DuBose (Brittany) of Charlotte, North Carolina, and Warren Spencer DuBose (Lisa) of Raleigh, North Carolina and stepdaughters, Tracey Erwin (Eric Raznick), Charlotte Morgan (David), and Katherine Carroll (Michael) all of North Carolina. Grandfather of Olivia DuBose, Neely DuBose, Hill DuBose, Jr. (Bess), Brown DuBose (Lily), Jack DuBose, Carson Cannon (Tanner), Blaine DuBose, Jr., Allie Ayotte (Zach), Burnam DuBose, Bennett DuBose, Watts DuBose, Lilly DuBose, Wallace DuBose, Spencer DuBose, Joshua Raznick, Alexander Raznick, Ronan Carroll, Wyatt Carroll, Finn Morgan and Dash Morgan. Great grandfather of Bill and Frances DuBose and Stockton Cannon. A private interment will be held in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on April 15, 2026. At Mac's request, Zinger's ashes will be buried with him. A celebration of life for friends and family will follow in Hillsborough, North Carolina at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the UNC Chapel Hill "Valinda Hill DuBose Fund, code: 102311" and the UNC Chapel Hill "Paula F. Miller, M.D. Women's Heart Program Fellowship, code: 346161".