Robert Louis Wilkerson,

Robert Louis Wilkerson, age 66 of Jefferson City, TN passed away July 7, 2012 at University of Tennessee Medical Center after an extended battle with cancer. He was born January 17, 1946 to the late Booker and Flora Wilkerson. As a child, he was a member of Boyd Chapel Methodist Church. He was a 1965 graduate of Nelson Merry High School and attended Morristown College. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army and served with honor in the Vietnam War. After his tour of duty in the Army, he returned to Boyd Chapel and taught Sunday school classes. Later in life he attended Young?s Memorial AME Zion Church in New Market, TN. Robert continued his government service at the Oak Ridge Nuclear Power Plant (K-25) as an electrician and retired after 42 years of Government service. Robert loved working with children and often said ?they are our future leaders.? Putting his beliefs into motion, he became involved with Jefferson City Little League Football where he went on to become Head Coach and Football Director for over 30 years. He helped organize the Talbot Titans Little League Football Program giving them a solid start by donating 35 pairs of uniform pants. He was the Head Coach there as well for several years. As Head coach he led his teams to several conference championships and was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in Jefferson City in 1995. He was President of the English Mountain Football Conference which included 11 counties for several years. He also helped organize the GATE (Gifted And Talented Education) program in Jefferson County and served as their first President. Robert coached Jefferson City recreation youth boys/girls and adult basketball teams for many years. He was also a member of the Optimus Club in which he held the position of Secretary, and also a member of the Jobs for Equality and Fair (JFEAF) in Jefferson City. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 46 years Patricia (Burden) Wilkerson, daughter Teresa ?Missy? Wilkerson; loving grandson Vontez McCray, God grandsons: Christopher Edmonds and William (Trey) Cain of Morristown. Sisters: Arlina Jones, Anniston, AL; Peggy Justine (Carl) Boatright, Villa Park, CA; Frances (Calvin) Talley, Atlanta, GA; Franklin (Somie) Wilkerson, Austin, TX; Daniel (Beatrice) Wilkerson, Jefferson City, TN. Sister-in-laws: Gracie (Charles) Mattison , Jefferson City, TN; Barbara Hendricks , Sevierville, TN, and Brother-in-law: Phillip (Libby) Burden, Sevierville, TN. He also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by son Robert L. Wilkerson Jr. and sisters Minnie C. Breedlove and Wanda W. Johnson. Special thanks to all of his co-workers at K-25, our loving neighborhood family, and all the staff on the Oncology floor at UT Hospital. Additional thanks to our church family and friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made: Smoky Mountain Cancer Support Group:c/o Alice Grady, 906 Murphy Road, Sevierville, TN 37862 Funeral service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at Farrar Funeral Home with Rev. Gerald Hodge, Rev. Janice Johnson and Rev. Don Grady officiating. Family will receive friends from 6:00 until 7:00 p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends will meet at 10:00 a.m. Saturday morning at the funeral home to proceed to Jefferson Memorial Gardens for an 11:00 a.m. graveside interment service. ARRANGEMENTS BY FARRAR FUNERAL HOME IN JEFFERSON CITY, TN 865-475-3892