Connell Roper was born on September 6, 1955, in Birmingham, Alabama, to Delia Roper Turner. He was the youngest child and only son, with two older sisters. In the late 1950s, the Roper family relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, where Connell was raised and educated.

Connell attended Cincinnati Public Schools, including Sands and Washburn Elementary Schools, Bloom Junior High School, and Robert A. Taft Senior High School. He was a dedicated student and an exceptional athlete, with football being his lifelong passion. He began playing in the Little Pee-Wee League and continued through high school. While attending Taft, Connell participated in construction and electronics programs and was selected from among many students to help build the Taft Restaurant located on Central Avenue. He proudly graduated with the Class of 1974.

Following high school, Connell attended college in Dayton, Ohio, where he earned a degree in electronics. He later relocated to Schaumburg, Illinois, where he worked at Motorola's headquarters. In the late 1970s, he returned to Cincinnati and continued his professional career at IBM while furthering his education at the university level.

Connell deeply believed in the power of education and instilled this value in his children, students, and all those he mentored. He went on to teach electronics at several institutions, including Ohio Business College, Southern Ohio College, Brown Mackie College, and MTA College. Concurrently, he worked at United Tote Repair, where he trained employees to repair and rebuild computers and money machines. His expertise took him across the country, delivering equipment and teaching teams how to operate and maintain complex systems.

Connell often traveled with his son, Connell Jr., who frequently spoke of how much he learned from his father. One of Connell's most enduring teachings was: "As long as you are educated, you can never be defeated."

Eventually, Connell chose to reduce his travel and accepted a government position, where he built machinery and trained employees in repair and maintenance. In 2022, he retired to enjoy time with his family and friends.

Connell had a profound love for music and the arts. He enjoyed attending sporting events, concerts, and theatrical productions. He loved dancing, traveling, and sharing experiences with those around him. He also owned his first LLC as a licensed gun dealer, selling firearms legally and responsibly. He emphasized safety, proper registration, and hands-on training, often taking clients to target practice and teaching safe firearm use.

Connell was a loving and devoted son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, mentor, educator, minister, and friend. He taught and encouraged everyone he encountered and never hesitated to help someone in need. His presence, wisdom, and generosity will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Rest well, my King. I promise to continue instilling our core values of love, education, honesty, integrity, loyalty, support, and strong foundations—living by the "each one, teach one" principle so that all may learn, grow, and prosper together.

Connell was preceded in death by his father, Nathaniel O. Turner, and his beloved granddaughter, Alaiya Angel'lee Cook.

He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 44 years, Jennifer Roper, and a special family member, Brenda Ann Holland, mother and grandmother of his children. He is survived by one son, Connell Roper, II (Lynette); two daughters, Candice Roper and Jennifer Roper; and one bonus daughter, Shmar Harrison.

He was a proud grandfather to 18 grandchildren: 11 granddaughters: Kieashia, Cariyah (Kenneth), Cazauri, Wyana, Amour, Cyreniti, Cauri, Cannae, Caiyah, Caris, and Amiyah; and seven grandsons: Connell Roper III, Jarae, Cauryae, Caisaun, Canis, Amauri, and Jemauri. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Vandale, Jr., Key'onni, Quari, Ny'jhae's, and Khyin.

Connell is also survived by his mother, Delia Roper Turner; his sisters, Beverlyn Smith and Charlotte Roper; and his sisters- and brothers-in-love: Patricia Walker, Lenora Castleberry, Gloria Walker, Harold and Charlean Walker, Kevin and Michele Walker, Julia and Greg Mason, Donna Walker, Melvin and Shirley Walker, and Kenvin and Shirley Walker, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, students, and loved ones.

Connell Roper's life was a blessing, and his memory is a treasure that will live on forever.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 10:30 am until 11:00 am, on  Friday, January 2, 2026, at the Walker Funeral Home - Walnut Hills Chapel, 2625 Gilbert Avenue, Cincinnati  (45206).   The funeral service will immediately follow the visitation,  beginning at 11:00 am. Friends and family will gather to share memories, find solace in one another's company, and honor the legacy he leaves behind.

He will be laid to rest at Spring Grove Cemetery, 4521 Spring Grove Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio 45232.

We invite you to take a few moments to share fond memories and words of comfort and condolence with the Roper family. Please click the "Tribute Wall" icon above and to the right, enter the information, and click "Save Post."

Walker Funeral Home and Crematory  is caring for the Roper family during this difficult time.  Please call 513.251.6200 or visit www.HerbWalker.com for additional information.