Karel Dupre

Karel Dupre, a master stained glass artist whose intricate designs adorned churches, synagoges, and public spaces across the United States, passed away on November 23, 2025, in Ocala, Florida, at the age of 99. Born on August 12, 1926, in Veerle, Belgium, to Clemens Vincent Dupre and Francisca Verlinden, Karel was one of several siblings. Among them were his brothers Louis Dupre, the renowned philosopher who passed in 2022, and Jos Dupre, the distinguished Belgian politician who passed in 2021.

Karel trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Leauven, Belgium, and St. Luke Decorative Art School in Brussels, developing skills in painting, design, and stained glass techniques. In July 1968, he founded Dupre Studio in Miami, Florida, where he worked as a master glass painter for over 40 years.

Throughout his career, he created stained glass walls and panels for religious and institutional buildings. His work was featured in a 1981 television segment titled, "Stained Glass Prayer," showcasing his stained glass process in Miami.

Karel was a devout Catholic and member of Blessed Trinity Catholic Church in Ocala. Among his most cherished memories was meeting with Pope John Paul II.

Karel was predeceased by his beloved wife, Lea Dupre, who passed away in 2015. He is remembered fondly by his sister Freida, extended family, dear friends who cared for him in his last years, and the countless admirers of his luminous creations that continue to inspire and illuminate spaces nationwide.