Mr. Roger D. Dunlap's Obituary
Roger Dale Dunlap was born July 7, 1947 in Minter City, Mississippi, LeFlore County. He was the son of the late Shed Hill Dunlap and Ethel Lee Ballard Dunlap.
When Roger was young, his family relocated to Kingsford Heights, Indiana, where he later graduated from Union Township High School. Roger, who became a star basketball player, continued his athletic career at Indiana State University. Despite being a standout on the team, he sacrificed his “hoop dreams” to focus on his academics and work his way through college. Roger formed lifelong friendships at ISU, and was active in various student efforts to promote equality and social justice on campus.
On February 15, 1974, he married the love of his life, Sharon Cotton Dunlap. After graduating from ISU with a degree in Business, they moved from Indiana to pursue his career in sales; ultimately settling in Champaign, Illinois, which they made their home for over 40 years. They became lifelong partners in their union, while protecting, encouraging and educating their children, Deon, Eric, and Keisha.
Roger had a highly successful career, spanning more than 30 years in real estate as one of the few African-American realtors in Champaign. In addition to sales, he owned several rental properties and took pride in providing housing in lower income areas of the community as a way of giving back and never forgetting his roots. He served as a member of the board of directors for both the Urban League of Champaign County and the Champaign County Association of Realtors.
Roger accepted Christ at an early age. Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church (Champaign) was his church home for several decades, where he served in numerous capacities including the Men’s Missionary, Men’s Choir, Building Planning Committee, and chairman of the Men’s Day Celebration.
Besides being tall in stature, he had a big presence! He was a sharp dresser with a smile that lit up the room and plenty of personality (aka swag) to go with it. All of us have great stories and unforgettable quotes from our times with Roger.
His passions included golfing with his buddies, The Duck Hookers; basketball, he bragged about playing competitively until he was 45 years old, including wins at several 3-on-3 tournaments, Gus Macker and Shoot-The-Bull, along with many years of the Dunlap-McMillian-Ballard Family Reunion Games playing and coaching with Team Illinois. Last but certainly not least, FAMILY. No one loved his family more than Roger - he would do anything for his people!
In 2015, Roger and Sharon moved to Grand Prairie, Texas to be closer to their children. He enjoyed the warmer weather (fewer storms to track), sitting in the front window serving as the unofficial “neighborhood watch”, became a die-hard Dallas Cowboys fan and lover of Texas-style cooking. He could regularly be found sitting in his sunroom, listening to Al Green while hanging out with his granddog Kodak.
On Monday, November 20, 2023, Roger answered the call to come home to be with the Lord at 76 years of age. He is preceded in death by his parents, Shed Hill Dunlap and Ethel Lee Dunlap; his siblings Bill Garrett, Shed Dunlap, Jr., Alice Alfredia Dunlap Dabney, Herman Earl Dunlap, Mitchell Dunlap, and Eric Scott Dunlap.
He leaves to cherish his legacy, his wife of 49 years, Sharon; two daughters, Deon Wagner (Joseph) of Detroit, Michigan, and Keisha Dunlap of Grand Prairie, Texas; and one son, Eric Dunlap of Grand Prairie, Texas. Roger also is survived by three sisters, Alma Raye Dunlap Bynum of Hurst, Texas, Frances Dunlap Evans of Fishers, Ind., and Cheryl Dunlap Boiser of Missouri City, Texas; and two brothers, Larry (Jenice) of Indianapolis, Ind., and Orlando Lamar (Joy) of Kingsford Heights, Ind. In addition, a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends will cherish his memory forever.
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