John Edward DeuPree passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 16, 2011 in Jackson, Calif. at the young age of 65 years. He was born May 19, 1945 to Edwin and Augusta (Kaufman) DeuPree in Oakland.

John was raised in Oakland, where he participated in Boy Scouts, earning the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Oakland High School in 1963, joined the U.S. Navy in 1964 and became a submariner. He was honorably discharged in 1966, but continued in the Naval Reserve. John worked for AT&T as a program manager for 44 years. He married his first wife, Lee, in 1970, moved to San Ramon and had three children. In 1988 he relocated to Discovery Bay to pursue his passion for boating.

His first grandchild arrived in 1997 and in the same year he married his present wife, Marlene. The couple moved to Brentwood to begin their lives together. He joined the Walnut Creek Police Department as a reserve police officer in 2001. John and Marlene moved to the beautiful mountains of Pioneer in 2006 and built their dream home, where he lived until his death.

John loved to spend a snowy winter day playing with his seven grandkids or working on one of his many projects with his kids. He also loved to shoot, hunt, camp, kayak, hike and enjoy a good glass of wine with a good book on a quiet day at his home in the woods.

John is survived by his wife, Marlene; sons, Brent DeuPree and his wife, Katie of Discovery Bay, and Brian DuePree and his wife, Faith of Elk Grove; daughter, Kristina Petrilla and her husband, Dominic; grandsons, Cole, Mason, Wyatt and Dominic; granddaughters, Kaylee, Alexys and Madison; sister, Phyllis Leech; first wife, Lee DeuPree; and stepson, Matthew Mullan.

Friends were invited to attend a celebration of life on April 23. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Guide Dogs For The Blind, P.O. Box 3950, San Rafael, CA 94912-3950, in John’s name. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.