A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. today for Duncan I. Street, President of Carter County Bank, who died unexpectedly Sunday morning at the Franklin Wood Hospital in Johnson City.
Carter County Bank and its branch offices will close at 12:30 p.m. today in a memorial to Street and for bank staff and employees to attend his service.
Street, 52, had attended the UT football game Saturday night and became ill on his way home from the ballgame according to his co-workers at the bank.
Street had been an employee of Carter County Bank for 25 years.
Born and raised in Roan Mountain, he was the son of the late Elige Franklin and Joann Powell Street. Street was a graduate of Cloudland High School, and received a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in business administration from East Tennessee State University.
From the time he was a young boy, Street’s goal was to work at a bank. He especially enjoyed interacting with the people who visited at the bank and with the employees. He was the fellow with the “polished” head and big smile on his face, whose office at the downtown bank was strategically located so he could see customers as they entered and left the bank. Often they received a smile, a wave, or some form of greeting from Street from his “window on Elk,” as he often referred to his office.
Prior to being named president of the bank, Street served as branch manager for the Elk Avenue and Williamsburg branches and was in charge of the day-to-day banking operations. Bank employees said he usually arrived at the bank early and often worked late.
“Duncan Street was an unusual individual. I say that because he wasn’t just an outstanding banker, he was a great teacher,” said William B. Greene, Chairman of BankTenn Corp.
“He was a great example of humility, integrity and honesty for our employees and community. But the biggest lesson he taught us was that every day is a gift. Duncan Street was full of love and I will never forget him,” Greene shared.
He began his banking career as an intern at First Tennessee Bank, working there for six years before joining the staff at Carter County Bank.
A very civic-minded person, Street was an active member of many groups and causes in the community, including, but not limited to the Kiwanis Club, the Chamber of Commerce, the Boys and Girls Club, the United Way, the Roan Mountain Citizens Club, and Cap the Gap for foster care children.
“His loss is not only going to be felt at the bank, but throughout the community. He was involved in so many community efforts. He gave of himself in so many ways,” said Rebecca White, Director of Marketing for Carter County Bank.
“We all feel fortunate and blessed to have been a part of his life. His dedication to local charities and community service organizations is unmatched.
“During his 25 years at Carter County Bank, Duncan helped many people and businesses in our community and formed close relationships with his customers. As we are dealing with his loss, we will continue to service customers as members of our extended family in the same manner that Duncan taught us,” White said.
He especially loved downtown Elizabethton and traveling. His travels had taken him to Paris, Venice, Rome, the Carribbean, Las Vegas, and New York City. He also enjoyed U-T football, classic Cadillacs, golfing with Matthew, his adopted son, and walking in the park with the kids of Kathy Tester, whom he often referred to as “my kids” or “our kids.”
Street is survived by a brother, Danny Street of Roan Mountain; the love of his life for 16 years, Kathy C. Tester, Elizabethton, and her five children, whom he loved as his own. They include Curtis, Matthew, Maggie “Mag Pie,” Andrea and Adam.
Also, several aunts, uncles and many friends whom he counted as family also survive.
The graveside service and burial will be at 2 p.m. today in the McKinney Cemetery.