He was in private practice in Angier and Raleigh, North Carolina from 1936 to 1943.
He then served in the United States Naval Reserve during World War II, from 1943 to 1946, achieving the rank of Lieutenant.
[1] On November 30, 1970, Dupree was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina created by 84 Stat.
He served as Chief Judge from 1979 to 1983, assuming senior status on December 31, 1983.
[1] Dupree served in that capacity until his death on December 17, 1995, in Raleigh.