Reymundo "Ray" Dupree

Reymundo “Ray” W. Dupree passed away on May 31, 2024 after a sudden illness.  Ray was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother and friend which is well known by those who knew and loved him. As a husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, he did a commendable and outstanding job.

To say that Ray Dupree was a great basketball and baseball player may be news to some but this legacy is well documented in New Mexico (NM) sports writings.  He was a trailblazer for NM and US Hispanic American players playing for NCAA Division 1 teams. Today it is significant in that it paved the way for other young talented Hispanics from NM and indeed, across the United States to play D-1 basketball. All those that followed him have this young amazing athlete to thank for leading the way in a spectacular fashion and for playing his heart out.

Ray was awarded two basketball scholarships, one to University of Kansas and another to the University of New Mexico.  At the time it was a milestone for a native New Mexican to be recruited to play ball on a scholarship let alone two.  Ray chose to play for UNM because he loved his family and NM and couldn’t bear to leave them. He got to play in the newly constructed University Arena, “The Pit!” 

 Ray was a true Espanola native through and through, he continued his life legacy by being deeply interwoven with the community that he loved and served.  His vision and dedication were evident in the mentoring and coaching of basketball, baseball and football players within the community for many years. 

Ray’s early years were shared with his siblings, creating a tapestry of memories filled with laughter and camaraderie.  He was a graduate of Espanola High School in 1964, and was a loyal friend and teammate. He was a very humble man and when asked about his basketball and baseball successes, he would just remark that, ‘It wouldn’t have been possible without the help and support of his teammates.”

In his later years Ray loved playing baseball.  He played in men’s leagues well into his 50’s.   He also loved hunting, fishing and going for “lena” at Mesa de las Viejas!  He had a passion for reading and you could always see him with an open book at his side. He loved gardening, watching old movies and watching all basketball and baseball games on TV.   

Born on September 3, 1946, in La Villita, NM, to Floripa Martinez Dupree and William Dupree he was the fifth child of six. He is predeceased in death by his parents and his wife, Laura Rae Montgomery Dupree, his brother Thomas Dupree and sister and brother in law Carolina and Franklin Sancher, sister in law Zoraida Dupree and a son in law William Naranjo. He is survived by his children, Andrea Dupree and Christian Russell Dupree (Ramoncita).  Ray’s memory is kept alive and honored by his grandchildren, Lauren & Logan and Christian & Kevin, and his great grandchildren Jameson, Belladonna and Katarina. He is also survived by his brother Felipe Dupree and two sisters, Dorthy Lopez (John) and Melva Quintana (Robert), brother in law Roger Montogomery and sister in law Karen Lopez (Bobby) and a lifelong friend Dora Cruz and a host of nephews, nieces and cousins. Ray will be deeply missed, and will never be forgotten.

Per Ray’s wishes, we will not have a rosary or funeral service at this time.  A celebration of life will be held at a later date.