October 11, 2013 (Four Oaks, NC) ─ Musician Richard Dupree has kept toes tapping at Oakview Commons for the past several years. With a guitar in hand, Mr. Dupree, as residents call him, gets the residents at the DePaul Senior Living Community singing along to gospel hymns and popular tunes from the past.

“It’s a calling,” Mr. Dupree said. “It’s my ministry.”

“The two things my residents can’t do without are Mr. Dupree on Tuesdays and Bingo on Thursdays,” said Activities Director Maria Iadonisi.

At 82 years old, the Willow Springs resident has been playing music across the region for many years. You name it, he’s played it ─ from a 13-piece dance orchestra to rock-n-roll, country and even Motown.

“I’ve done the whole gamut,” he said. “Before I was saved I was in one of the meanest joints in Raleigh by myself. I made decent money for five years.”

Iadonisi said Mr. Dupree is very popular at Oakview Commons and draws quite a crowd, with residents lining the halls and filling the dining room. In addition to sharing his gift of music with residents, Mr. Dupree donated two yellow tomato plants to Oakview’s garden which yielded many tomatoes!

“He is good natured and kind hearted and wonderful at what he does. He takes the time after every performance to shake hands and tell every resident that they are a blessing.”

Pictured here with Mr. Dupree are Oakview residents Shirley West, McClendon Reynolds, Charles Williams, Jim Eldridge and Beverly Jennings.

For more information about Oakview Commons, please contact Administrator Janis Carroll at (919) 963-2011.