Rocky Mount -

With his loving family by his side, Kirby Dupree, age 70, passed away peacefully Thursday afternoon, June 12, 2025 at Nash UNC Healthcare in Rocky Mount.

Kirby's life began on May 31, 1955, in Nash County as the first son born to Charles Franklin, Jr. and Julia Williams Dupree. He grew up in the West Edgecombe community and was a long time member of West Edgecombe Baptist Church.  His firefighting career began as a volunteer with West Edgecombe VFD at the tender age of sixteen. Following graduation from West Edgecombe High School, he was hired as the youngest firefighter with Rocky Mount Fire Department. His next adventure was with Morrison Knudson where he stayed about five years. He was also involved with farming. His last challenge was at Abbott Laboratories, from where he retired following twenty-four years of service.

He was a talented, intelligent, caring, compassionate man who was loved and respected by anyone that he met. If you had a question on how to do something, "you just ask Papa". He loved his wife, mountains, his trip to Canada with dear friends, family, bourbon, flying ultra-lite plane, and jumping out of planes. His eyes always brightened when Anna and Jenna came into the room. He had such a special bond with Jonathan and Hunter, and warmly welcomed daughter-in-law, Kim. He found great joy in assigning special nicknames such as Munskin, Mrs. Nutcracker, Skoot, Boo, Brah, Sweetie, and many others through the years.

His stories of his younger years were entertaining and kept us laughing. Even when he was in the hospital, he was fondly described as "a hoot" by the medical staff charged with his care.  Kirby also enjoyed riding his tractor on the farm, always calling it his "me time" with his headset on. You could call him a true carpenter. With help from his wife, they measured, cut, and stained all the wood in their log cabin. He could build anything from nutcrackers, pie safes, cabinets, quilt racks, and even a ring box for Anna. He was a super cook and always loved cooking pigs with his dear friends, Tim and Pender. There was a special bond with his cousin, Tim and wife, Nancy and dear friend, Mike and wife, Peggy. They have always been there for him whether it was to support or just to love him. All his family and friends have been a close loving family. He had so many true friends it's hard to name them all.

In addition to his parents, Kirby was preceded in death by his sister-in-law, Debbie Dupree; niece, Stacy Dupree; and special little Yorkie friend, "Yoda."

Kirby leaves a lifetime of precious memories for his devoted wife of thirty-seven years, Barbara Jones Dupree; son, Jonathan Evans (Kim); brother, Phillip Dupree (Carolyn); nephew, Stephen Dupree (Samantha); along with many cousins, family friends and other extended relatives. He was an adoring Papa to his grands, Anna Rackley (Hunter) and Jenna Nichole Evans; and eagerly awaiting the arrival of his first great-grandson and namesake, "Kirby", due in November. He will also be greatly missed by his spoiled great-grand-dogs, Oakley, Mya, and Athena; and great-grand-cats, Drake and Kitty.

We would like to thank his doctors, especially Dr Matthew Chamberlain and the entire staff in the Cardiovascular ICU.

Family and friends will gather for a special time to fellowship and remember Kirby on Tuesday evening, June 17, 2025 from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm at Davis-Little Funerals, 2129 Lawrence Circle, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Instead of flowers donations to West Edgecombe Fire Department, PO Box 2793, Rocky Mount, NC 27802, would be appreciated.