Francis I. duPont, III

Francis I. duPont III passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in the Health Center of Vicar’s Landing in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. “Rip”, as he was known to friends and family, was born in Richmond, VA, to Gertrude Murrell and A. Rhett duPont in 1945. He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in Orange, VA, and got his BA degree from the University of Richmond, where he was an active member of Theta Chi Fraternity. After graduation, Rip joined the US Army and was stationed for a year on the DMZ in South Korea.

Rip worked first as a stockbroker for F.I. duPont and Company, both in the NYC Wall Street Office and in the Atlanta office. He moved his family to Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, where he had accepted a position with Southeast Bank. He ran the Beach Bank office and was later in charge of all the SE Banks across the Northern part of the state from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. Rip also was President and Chief Executive Officer of SouthTrust Bank. He was Regional President for First Florida Bank. In Tampa, he was Senior Vice President for Southeast Bank. Rip and Linda moved to Bradenton, FL, as he became Chairman and CEO of First National Bank of Manatee which was eventually sold to Whitney Bank in New Orleans.

Rip served as Senior Warden at both Christ Church in Ponte Vedra Beach and Bradenton. Rip enjoyed serving his community in many civic organizations: Boys and Girls Club, Episcopal High School of Jacksonville, Chamber of Commerce President.

Rip is survived by his wife, Linda; daughter and son-in-law, Stacy and Jake Nash and their children, Ella and William; son, Tim duPont and Rip’s brother and his wife, Rhett and Pat duPont.

A Memorial Service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, 400 San Juan Drive, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, on Friday, June 21, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Christ Episcopal Foundation, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.