Vaughn Roper

Vaughn “Kent” Roper is the firstborn child of Alta and Vaughn Roper Jr. He was born in 1955 in Fort Lewis, Washington, where his dad was in the army. The family returned to Denver in 1957, where they were able to enjoy their large family, including grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and a host of cousins. The family went crazy over Kent; he was such an adorable, sweet, and happy baby. He was a rambunctious lil guy, and it was a job to keep up with him. Soon he had his playmate, his brother Stephen. Next both boys had a new playmate, Chris. Then the three boys were joined by a baby sister, Dana. As their big brother, Kent looked out for them and took his big brother responsibilities very seriously. Kent attended the following schools: Columbine Elementary, Gove Jr. High, East High School, and then graduating from South High School. He was a member of the Highlanders, where he found his passion and love of music. He attended Colorado State University (“CSU”), majoring in Early Childhood Education. Kent was recruited to play Division 1 football for CSU, but he ended up playing basketball along with Denver’s Rudy Carey and Dennis Kirkland. He was also a flight attendant with Braniff Airlines. Kent loved working with children, and often coached children’s basketball. His teams were undefeated! He impressed upon the children that they could do anything. Some of the wisdom he shared with them was, “don’t wear black socks while you play ball because the dye will bleed through your skin.” “Never start something you can’t finish.” “Throw elbows, BUT don’t let nobody see that.” “Bring the hammer!” His favorite saying of all, “Is your blow hole closed?” Learning work ethics from his father, Kent ran his own landscaping business and worked for Denver Public Schools for over 30 years, just like his hero, his dad. Kent and Nancy went on their first date on September 20, 1976 and were married on April 17, 1981. They spent 29 years together and have two loving, beautiful, and talented children, Summer Dion and Kayla Marque. The most important thing to him was spending time with his family. He loved to barbeque and have his entire family around. Traveling and exploring the world with his wife and daughters was one of his favorite things to do. Kent was very passionate about life. He was a star athlete, enjoying long bike rides, swimming, playing tennis, basketball, and football. Spending many hours daily with his daughters, taking them for ice cream, on bike rides to feed the ducks at City Park, and to Elitches for a day of fun! He could be seen cheering on any of his nieces at events around the city. The support was a key component in his life. Kent was a member of Campbell’s AME church, where he was an active volunteer with the food bank, as well as with the landscaping of the grounds. Kent’s passion for gardening extended well beyond himself. In 2015 he heard God say take care of yourself and build a garden, use the land to better your life and spend more time with me. With his oldest daughter’s help, he built a large garden. Within this garden he grew all the vegetables he wanted, tomatoes, jalapenos, squash, and his favorite and most prized, collard greens. You could find him sitting in his garden, listening to music, writing and having conversations with God. Kent will be most remembered for his beautiful smile, infectious laugh, loud personality, humor, advice and love. He would always start a conversation with, “I am blessed,” and leave you with a TYL, Thank You Lord!!! He will be missed by many and remembered whole heartedly. Vaughn Kent Roper entered Glory on August 4, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. Preceded in death by his father, Vaughn Roper, Jr. He leaves to cherish his memory his daughters, Summer Dion Roper and Kayla Marque Roper; his “wife” Nancy Josephine Dunn-Roper; his Mother, Alta O. Roper; his siblings, Stephen Roper (Gina Dunn-Roper), Christopher Roper (Sandra Altenburg-Roper), and Dana Roper, all of Denver, Colorado; and a host of nieces, cousins, other relatives, and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell - 6601 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO
Visitation: 8/12/2018 at 12:00 PM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 8/13/2018 at 12:00 PM - Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church - 1500 E. 22nd Ave., Denver, Colorado
Cemetery: 8/13/2018 - Highland Cemetery - 10201 Grant Street Thornton, CO
Family Gathering: 8/13/2018 - Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church - 1500 E. 22nd Ave., Denver, Colorado