Wilburn Conda Cooper

Wilburn Conda Cooper (Dub or WC), 92, went to be with the Lord on April 11, 2021 with his loving wife Betty by his side. Born on Oct 9, 1928 in his home on Cornell Street in Knoxville, now part of the University of Tennessee Campus. He was preceded in death by his parents, Maston Lon Cooper and Sarah Beulah Medaris of Knoxville. He was a member of Tullahoma First Baptist Church and loved fishing, telling stories, singing and playing guitar. Dub is survived by his wife of more than 70 years, Betty Jo (Lambdin) Cooper, two twin sons, Dirk Randall Cooper and Mike Rodney Cooper of Chattanooga, and their wives Paula Conrad Cooper and Marci David Cooper, granddaughters, Jennifer Cooper Varn of Atlanta and Elizabeth Cooper Callahan of McDonald, Tn, grandson, Christopher Dirk Cooper of Chattanooga, great-granddaughters, Kelsey and Sisi Varn of Atlanta, Ga, Charley Callahan of McDonald, TN and Fallon Cooper of Chattanooga, great-grandsons, Kellan Cooper of Chattanooga and Warren Cooper Callahan of McDonald, Tn. He was preceded in death by brothers, Paul and Loni Cooper of Rockford, Tn., sisters, Edna Lawson of Atlanta, Ga and Faye Smith of Knoxville., father and mother in law, Robert J Lambdin and Francis B Lambdin. Dub graduated from Knoxville High on January 24, 1947 where he excelled in football making the all southern conference team his senior year. He Lettered in Football at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1948,1949 and 1950. He fell in love with the "woman of his life” Betty Jo Lambdin while both attending UT and married her his senior year. He served his country in the Air Force at Carswill AFB and played football for the AF “Bombers” who were undefeated. Dub had a BS degree and MS degree from the University of Tennessee in education. He spent his full career working in the Tullahoma school system where he was teacher, athletic director, and principal starting in 1957. A private burial will be conducted at the Chattanooga National Cemetery with honors at 2pm on Monday April 19, 2021. Paul bearers include: Christopher Cooper (grandson), Matt Callahan (granddaughter's husband), David and Johnny Smith (nephews). A Celebration of His Life will be held in Tullahoma in June and will be announced later in the Tullahoma News. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tullahoma First Baptist Church. Arrangements entrusted to Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, TN 37415 www.lanefh.com (423)877-3524