Fred was born on January 28, 1952, in Kellogg, ID, to parents, Fred Dupré, Sr. and Geneil Denham. Fred was raised with three sisters, Phyllis, Dorothy, and LaValla, with whom he shared a special bond.
The family moved to Washington State when Fred was a boy and established roots in the Yakima Valley. Fred made his career in the construction industry, where he was known for unmatched work ethic, willingness to help anyone at any time, and a tendency to walk perimeter walls in his cowboy boots. Fred had an inquisitive and intuitively mechanical mind and could fix anything with a little more than elbow grease and tenacity.
Fred met and married Wanda (Buhrman) Dupré on October 11, 1997. Throughout their 25 years, the two shared a love for traveling, dining, antique shopping, family time, and simply being together. Their travels included an annual trip to the Olympic Peninsula, as well as a stunning and adventurous trip to Alaska…where Wanda caught the biggest fish! Fred and Wanda were best friends, loving partners, and loyal companions. They shared common and separate interests but were always a team, always laughing, always connected. Fred loved Wanda dearly, loved their life together, and LOVED her Mexican lasagna!
Next to Wanda, Fred’s greatest passion was for hunting, fishing and camping. He proudly shared this love with his three boys, Larry Rowe, Michael Dupré, and Robert Dupré. From baiting a hook to tracking a herd, Fred taught his boys all about the sport of hunting and respect for nature, watching carefully over them as they honed their skills. He knew the northwest mountain roads like the back of his hand and spent hours driving, spotting and tracking wildlife. “Fred Bear” was at home in the mountains and cherished the times he spent with his children and grandchildren around a campfire. He was a teacher at heart and loved nothing more than to share his knowledge, experience, wisdom and love from a ground blind.
To all who knew him, Fred was a man of principal, integrity, compassion, eternal optimism, and authenticity. He never complained, never spoke negatively of others, and never missed an opportunity to be of service. Fred was a leader, father figure and mentor to countless people throughout his life, especially his beloved “Shop Boys”, Flaco, Sean, Josh, Jason, Henry, and Uncle Vince. Fred listened without judgment, spoke softly but intentionally, and brought out the best in those around him. To know Fred was to love him, admire him, and deeply appreciate him.
Fred is survived by his wife, Wanda Dupré, sons Larry Rowe (Buffy), Michael Dupré (Nicole), and Robert Dupré; the mother of his sons, LaRose Kay Rodriguez, Adopted Son, Manuel “Flaco” Gomez, and step-children, Char Smith (John), Becky Costich (Ivan), Andrea Williams (Doug), Jessica Gempler (Mike), Joseph Smith (Shannon), and Mitch Haven (Etlemira). Fred (a.k.a. “Pa”) is also survived by 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren, Sister, LaValla Trapp, and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at Keith & Keith Funeral Home (902 W Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902). All who knew and loved Fred are welcome.
