Another long-time Central High School teacher has died.
Conrad L. “Jake” Majors Jr., 87, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at home. He was a member of Fountain City United Methodist Church and the Christian Homebuilders Sunday School Class.
Mr. Majors graduated from Central High School in 1954 and Carson-Newman College in 1964. He taught social studies at Central High for 34-½ years. He also spent 20 years coaching basketball at Central, including eight years as head coach. He, too, was inducted into the Central High Wall of Fame. (Story by Jim Tumblin.)
At the age of 16, Conrad was given ownership of Greenlees Bicycle Shop by his grandparents, Nettie and Julian King. He told me about riding his bike downtown when the shop was located near Market Square. He learned the trade even before age 16, obviously enjoying time spent with his grandparents and the commercial atmosphere downtown.
He owned and operated the shop for 57 years (August 1952 to January 2020). The shop was a family business for 121 years, making it one of the oldest bicycle shops in the United States while in operation.
Conrad had a huge heart for the homeless population on Broadway and would feed them, fix their bicycles and even give them work. He was in Burlington Scout Troop 15 where he earned his Eagle Scout under legendary scoutmaster, Jim Coppock. Fishing at the lake, monthly gatherings with his longtime best friends, and staying up late watching westerns were among his favorite pastimes.
He is survived by his wife, Wanda Cochran Majors, who also worked at Central, and other family members.
The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 1-3 p.m. at Rose Funeral & Cremation, 1421 N. Broadway, Knoxville, with the funeral service following at 3 p.m., the Rev. Don Hanshew officiating. The full obituary is here.
