Robert A. (Bobby) "Coach" Wilson

Robert A. (Bobby) Wilson, age 84, of Jefferson City died on Saturday, June 21, following a brief illness. He was a military veteran, a collegiate athlete and coach, a retired professor of Carson-Newman College, an active churchman and member of civic organizations. He is survived by his wife Martha Wilson, his son Rob Wilson, his daughter-in-law Barianne Wilson, and three granddaughters, Sarah Wilson, Hannah Wilson, and Leah Wilson, all of Jefferson City; his sister Nellie Crabb of Piedmont, AL, sister-in-law Jeannie Bowman of Peoria, AZ, several nieces and nephews, and a host of friends and former players. Bobby Wilson was born January 11, 1924, in Piedmont, Alabama. After graduation from high school he served in the Army from 1943-1946 in the European Theater. After his discharge he attended The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), graduating from there with a B.S. degree in 1950 and an M.S. degree in 1952, in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation. While at Ole Miss he lettered in football and baseball and was named to the All SEC Freshman Football team. He still holds the SEC record for career interceptions. As a senior, he was named captain and made All-SEC in baseball, and he served as President of the ?M? (Letterman?s) Club. Until his death, he served as the permanent president of the Ole Miss Senior Class of 1950. Upon graduation he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles (football) and Cincinnati Reds (baseball). He chose baseball and played in the minor leagues with the Reds for 3 years. He taught and coached football and baseball 12 years in Mississippi high schools before moving to Jefferson City in 1964 to teach and coach at Carson-Newman College. Coach Wilson coached 23 years at Carson-Newman College, leading his first team, in 1965, to win the NAIA National Championship. He also served four years as a member of the Olympic Committee, who had baseball added as a sport in the Los Angeles Olympics of 1984. He was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletic Hall of Fame (1988), the NAIA Baseball Hall of Fame (1986), and the Carson-Newman College Athletic Hall of Fame (1995). Mr. Wilson was active in his local community as well. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, where over the years he served as Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, and the Community-College Council. He proudly served on the Board of Directors of the Jefferson-Cocke County Utility District for 11 years, including 3 years as its President. For all his accomplishments, Mr. Wilson was named the SCHAZ Jefferson Countian of the Year in 2007. The family will receive friends at First Baptist Church, Jefferson City, on Thursday, June 26th, from 2-5 p.m, with the funeral immediately following. Dr. Paul Brewer and Dr. Wade Bibb will officiate. Also participating will be Rev. Neal Bowman and Rev. Ken Schetter. Pallbearers will be Derek Lance, Greg Parman, Cliff Roop, Gary Rundles, John Sanders, and Carl Torbush. Members of the W.W. Bass Sunday School Class and the Morning Coffee Club will serve as honorary pallbearers. Interment will immediately follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Carson-Newman Eagle Club and designate it for the Bobby Wilson Baseball Scholarship Fund in care of Mike Turner; CNC Box 72009, Jefferson City, TN 37760. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 37760 (865) 475-3892