CHARLIE DEUPREE

1950 - 2023

DEUPREE, CHARLIE 12/11/1950 - 1/25/2023 Charlie Deupree passed away peacefully on Wednesday, January 25th, 2023 after a brief and brave battle with cancer and with his immediate family by his side. Charlie was born and raised in Cincinnati, OH where he attended Cincinnati Country Day School, developed a deep-rooted loyalty for the Reds and Bengals, preferred his 4-way Skyline Chili order with onions, and his Graeter's black raspberry chip. He attended his last two years of high school at Wooster School in Danbury, CT where he played football and hockey, managed to sneak his car on campus, and participated in and was on the receiving end of legendary classmate pranks. He always bragged he graduated in the top 25 of his class (in a class of 25 students). Upon graduation he made his way to the University of Denver where he pledged and served as social chair of the Sigma Chi fraternity, skied every chance he got, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1973. He went on to earn his Masters in Psychology from Western Michigan University the following year. He then settled with his first wife, Barb, in Ionia, Michigan where they raised their two daughters. For 30 years he worked as a School Psychologist for Ionia Public Schools (IPS) where he dedicated countless hours to students, ensuring their educational needs were met. He was an advocate for public schools and services that would provide students with opportunities for success, equity in the classroom, and a support system at home and at school. He served on countless committees with the Michigan and National Associations of School Psychologists (MASP and NASP). He took a brief sabbatical from IPS in 2001-2002 as President of NASP, a role he truly loved and in which he took great pride. Upon his retirement in 2005 he continued to consult with various organizations and his new local school district as he relocated to North Muskegon, MI. Throughout his life, Charlie was an avid sportsman, playing hockey, tennis, fishing, skiing, and never passed up an opportunity to play a round of golf. He was on the board and Vice President of the White Lake Golf Club (WLGC) and most recently was appointed the governor of the Golf Association of Michigan (GAM). It was at the WLGC where he helped start the White Lake Junior Golf Foundation to help serve, give access to, and introduce the game of golf to young people of all backgrounds throughout the White Lake area. He loved art and photography, trips to Siesta Key, FL in the winter, trivia nights at the local pub, card games with friends, and his investment club. He was the most loyal and devoted friend and family member. He made an effort to show up for everything - from his daughters' sporting events and recitals to friends' and family members' celebrations. He loved a good bargain, only recently giving up his coupon clipping habit with actual scissors and still scoured Consumer Reports for the best deal. He could tell the most groan-worthy Dad jokes and could dump anyone off a tube behind his boat in less than 10 seconds. He carried on his social chair status from his fraternity days to his family and friends, organizing reunions, gathering people together, and making the most of every day. He was a devoted partner and father, a loving grandfather, and best friend to many from every chapter of his life. From his first summer to his last you could find Charlie at his favorite place on earth, the Deupree family cottage at the Sylvan Beach Association on Lake Michigan near Whitehall, MI. He never missed a summer, and could be found every day on the beach swimming in the big lake and every evening watching the sunset from the front porch until the very last second with the hopes of catching the elusive "green flash." As was seen throughout his life, he believed in giving back and making his community a better place, and he served as the cottage association President for several years in the early 2000s and could tell anyone the history of every cottage and its lineage from the beginning of time. It was his constant in life, the place that provided peace and tradition that were so important to him. Charlie is preceded in death by his mother, Mary "Polly" Harwood Deupree, father, James "Jim" Deupree, sister Janet "Pepper" Deupree Miller, and nieces Shelley Miller Moore and Kristy Miller. He is survived by his long-time love, Sal Adama, his daughters Sally Deupree and Kate (Scott) Evans, his four grandchildren, Beatrice, George, Drew, and Graham, sister Margot Deupree Taylor, brother Steve (Cynthia) Deupree, 6 nieces and nephews, 13 great-nieces and nephews, and his sweet pets, Sebastian and Nigel. The family would like to thank the nurses at both Trinity Hospital in Muskegon, MI and Harbor Hospice for treating him with such kindness and dignity. A celebration of life will be held this summer, and more details will be provided as they develop. In the meantime, in lieu of flowers, the family welcomes donations in Charlie's name to the White Lake Junior Golf Foundation (501c3) or your local public school district foundation. If you'd like to donate to the Golf Foundation, please make checks out to the foundation and mail to the White Lake Golf Club, 6777 South Shore Drive, Whitehall, MI 49461. Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services is honored to be serving the Deupree Family at The Lee Chapel, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI 49444. To share a memory of Charlie with the Deupree Family, visit Charlie's page at www.sytsemafh.com