It is good for us to be here. Look around you. Look at friends and family. We are Karl’s church. This is how he worshipped.

I asked some family members who were close to Karl to share some stories and memories, and they were so personal, that I felt unworthy of relating them. So, I hope at some point they share them themselves.

But hearing these stories reinforced what I knew all along. Karl was complicated, and I’m using the word in the best context. But you’re welcomed to take it anyway you want. OK, let’s say complex.

I truly believe that Karl would be very upset and never forgive me if I tried to sugar coat anything about him. So I don’t dare.

When I met Karl Dupre he was driving an MG Midget. Now, for those of you who may be unaware the term Midget is not politcally correct. Who cares? Not Karl.

Karl never took the easy path. He was always challenging something, someone or himself. 

He played football in high school, but he was also in band. And he didn’t play trombone or bass drum, but the freaking French horn, one of the most difficult instruments to play!

His own mother called him stubborn. OK, that’s a given. Men are stubborn. But if you look up the word Stubborn in a dictionary don’t worry, you won’t find a picture of Karl. Actually, if you look up the word it will read STUBBORN (colon) and in Italics SEE KARL DUPRE.

One of his hobbies had to be debate. Some might call it arguing, and that’s their right. But he was quite good at healthily and vehemently explaining his side of things. But woe unto you if you found yourself beginning to agree with him. He could turn on a dime and argue your side! 

Karl had a black belt in Devil’s Advocacy.

You see, one of his “problems” was that he was super intelligent. That was obvious if you spent two minutes talking or “debating” with him. And stubborness and intelligence together can be volatile.

When Kathie came along I knew the world was now in balance because she was arguably his perfect foil. One could imagine the energy those two expended keeping things in check! But those of us who knew them knew it was true love. That’s the only power that could work.

Karl was passionate about a lot of things, but there were a few that he truly loved to share.

Music was his great love. It never failed that when I found an unknown artist and brought it to his attention that Karl would invariably have seen them perform at some little hole in the wall somewhere. Or at a small concert before they were discovered. And, of course, he had their album.

His knowledge of music was amazing to me. And it was always appreciated. Another black belt, this one in musicology. And his tastes ran the gamut from Classical to Classic Rock with an extra healthy serving of Jazz.

Karl was also an ARTIST. He created things. Every time we visited them in Nashville we would go on a tour of his latest projects. I thoroughly enjoyed his descriptions of the ways he made the architect’s design come to life. 

He was very proud of his creations.

But he was especially proud of two of his most beloved creations: Ollie and Tia. I don’t remember a conversation with Karl in the past few decades where he didn’t mention both of them and what they were up to, or talk about his latest visit with them.

And creation by extension Kaylee was always the twinkle in his eye. Of course, he was probably keeping the other eye open for hug attacks from her.

But for those new to the family, Karl could be an acquired taste. Case in point, and I must relate this one story Tia shared with me. Tia and Richard have this dog. 

Monty, as timid as he was, absolutely despised Karl, and wanted nothing to do with him.

The challenge was accepted. Kathie and Karl dog sat while the Lefoldts were away. A few days later Kathie sent Tia a picture of Karl and Monty on the sofa, side by side. The man could always manage to get his way.

All of us here have lost someone close to us at some time or another in the past. I have found a way to make them immortal by taking a little piece of them and making it a part of who I am.

When I lost my Mom I took on her attitude of accepting anyone as her equal. Not better, not less. I learned that you can entertain another’s beliefs without having to embrace them.

From my Dad I took his manners. And his mannerisms, for better or worse. I was already in Dad-mode, but this just amped it up.

And when I lost Cathy I took her smile, because the world would seem to be a little bit darker without it. And I try to show it to as many people as I can for her.

So, I’m asking to take a bit of Karl as your own. OK, you can be snarky and stubborn if you want. But challenge yourself to better yourself. Be passionate about different things. But be passionate with love.

With love happiness is not a goal. It’s a byproduct.

Eulogy given at Karl’s Memorial Service 5-27-23

• Living the love
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Categories: Bordering closely on religion