JOHN DUPLA

John Dupla, 76, a resident of League City, Texas passed from this life on November 25, 2023. He was born in Galveston,Texas on November 5, 1947 to parents, Victor Joseph Dupla and Agnes Marie (Enge) Dupla. John graduated from La Marque High School in 1966.  After High School, John joined the United States Army.  After completing boot camp at Ft. Benning , John was deployed to Vietnam. In Vietnam, he was a Dog Handler and Combat Tracker attached to the 1st Cav Div.  John served in Vietnam from 1967 – 1969 where he earned a Purple Heart.

After returning home, John became a Galveston Police Officer.   As a police officer, he met Mavis Peden and they were married in 1974.   In 1979, John became an electrician through IBEW Local 527.  He would remain an electrician till his retirement in 2012 from Celanese .  In those years he would work all over Texas, including working on skyscrapers in Dallas and the Nuclear Plant in Bay City.

John was very active in Vietnam veteran affairs.  He would attend reunions with the men who he served with in Vietnam.   In 2008, John was a guest of the New Zealand Prime Minister, sharing his experiences of being a dog handler.  He would give Interviews to anyone who asked, including for a movie documentary, War Dogs.  Also, John was an officer for his veterans group, VDHA.

On Friday nights, John could be found watching local High School football games. John enjoyed  going out dancing with friends, deer hunting, woodworking and watching Jeopardy. John had friends from all walks of life, who are going to miss his generosity and unique way of regaling stories.  He was affectionately called “ Papa John” to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John is preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 49 years.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory, sisters Mary Dreyfus and Louise Lawson, son, Chris Dupla and wife, Brandi; daughter, Renee Aguilera & husband, George; two grandchildren, Andria Brooks-Dupla and Cordale Brooks-Dupla and two great-grandchildren, Paxton Cline and Finnley Cline.

In his honor, there will be a celebration of life on Saturday, December 2, 2023 from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Crowder Funeral Home in Dickinson, Texas.   Burial will be at a later date.