Larry Andrew Dupont

Larry Andrew Dupont, 77, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. Larry was an epic storyteller who lived a full life of many passions.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Larry grew up on his family farm, the first of many passions. He often shared fond memories of farm life working the fields and tending to livestock. Upon graduating from Elizabethtown Catholic High School and the United Electronics Institute, he went into the service and fought for his country in the Vietnam War returning with two Purple Hearts.

He met the love of his life, Sharon Ann Dupont, in Louisville and they had four children before relocating to Orange Park, Florida, with CSX Corporation. The railroad industry became a second passion as Larry dedicated 40 years traveling the country working on a geometry car ensuring safe and efficient transit of the eastern corridor rail lines.

Upon retirement, Larry turned his focus and attention to his family - his biggest passion of all. Larry, along with Sharon, became a caregiver to his dear mother-in-law, Mary Katherine Lowrance until the time of her passing. He was fortunate to watch his four children find their own passions, flourish in their careers and build their own lives. Larry was able to spend time, share stories and watch his five grandchildren grow into themselves.

Larry is survived by his loving wife of 49 years, Sharon, and his children, Andrew (Tabitha), Mary Ann, Erin, and Abbie (Ryan) McAward as well as his grandchildren Sophia, Zachary and Nathanial Dupont and Gavin and Katherine McAward. He also is survived by three brothers, Charles Dupont (Alice), Joseph Dupont (Debbie) and Wayne Dupont; and six sisters Mary (Danny) Hodge, Becky Gleason, Gail (Mark) Hunt, Jean (Mike) Lewis, Joan (Larry) Dupont and Donna Dupont.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Andrew and Doris Ann; and siblings, Robert and Carolyn Lyons; as well as sister-in-law Wendy and brothers-in-law, Johnny Lyons, Patrick Gleason and Harry Lowrance.

A special thank you to Anabel Butler whose kindness, compassion and support over the years bolstered Larry's spirits.

Please join us in celebrating his life. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m. and funeral is at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 13, at Jacksonville Memory Gardens Funeral Home at 111 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park, Florida. The burial will follow at 2:30 pm at the Jacksonville National Cemetery at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, Florida. A late luncheon will follow at The Hilltop Restaurant at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions in Honor of Larry Dupont to 3 Bluebirds Farm, an organization whose mission is to support individuals with autism in a farm setting which is both a passion of Larry and his grandson, Gavin: 3 Bluebirds Farm, 1001 Horse Creek Road, Raleigh NC 27603, www.3bluebirdsfarm.org. Another organization that Larry loved is Wreaths Across America that honors our fallen soldiers: donate.wreathsacrossamerica.org.