James Stephen Deupree ’69

 Esteemed teacher, talented artist, and gifted with people, Steve died Feb. 17, 2024, on Bainbridge Island, Wash., while visiting family. He was a resident of Charlottesville, Va.

Steve was born and raised in Cincinnati,where he attended Cincinnati Country Day. He followed his father James Y. Deupree ’42 to Princeton, where he captained the lightweight crew, was a director of the Chapel Sunday school, and ate at Cap and Gown. Princeton friends remember his deep love for nature, art, and teaching; his generous spirit; his capacity for lasting friendships; and his creative energy.

In his early 30s, Steve developed a life-threatening physical condition, and during the healing process found Christian Science, which helped him explain how his complete healing could be possible. It was on the steps of the Christian Science church in Charlottesville where he met Cynthia, his wife of 38 years.

Steve found his calling in 1988 as a teacher of eighth-grade ancient history at St. Anne’s-Belfield School. He enjoyed taking his students on trips to Russia, Italy, Greece, and Turkey and watching them gain an expanded sense of the world. Always an artist, in retirement Steve was a prolific landscape painter, inspired by vistas of Virginia, Michigan, and the Pacific Northwest.

Steve is survived by Cynthia; his children Jamie and his wife Stephanie, and Maddie and her husband Lee; and grandchildren Penelope, Logan, Henry, and Red. His many friends in the Class of 1969 join them in mourning Steve’s passing. Like them, we will miss his sense of joy, warm smile, and ready laughter.