Larry Dupree was trying to save his children from rough Sunday surf and undertow at Jacksonville s Huguenot Memorial Park when he drowned, according to police.
Now his family is raising money to help fund the future of those children after his body was found early Monday off the Northside park beach.
The drowning came at the start of National Beach Safety Awareness Week and just days before an estimated 2.05 million Floridians begin Memorial Day travels to beaches, attractions and families. That s a 62 percent increase from last year s 1.27 million, AAA said.
With more people expected to hit the sand, surf and state highways as COVID-19 vaccinations reduce travel and vacation fears, police, lifeguards and marine officials are pouring on warnings about safety.