Jack Tester, who with his wife, Vella, had operated a photography business on Elk Avenue since 1997, died unexpectedly Tuesday morning.

According to a friend of the family, Tester had suffered a heart attack a couple of weeks ago and had undergone a cardiac catherization and a stent implant. He reportedly was at home and doing well when he suffered the fatal attack Tuesday morning.

Tester and his wife owned and operated Best Portraits & Photography, located at 705 E. Elk Avenue.

Tester had been making photos for 44 years, having worked with Olan Mills before opening his own business 22 years ago. Tester said he became a photographer because he “liked being able to give someone something they can’t give themselves — memories and history that is recorded one twenty-fifth second (shutter speed) at a time.”

During his long career he had made hundreds of school portraits, prom pictures, wedding photos, family portraits, class reunion and church event photos. Each was special to Tester, who took pride in his work. During the course of his work, he made as many friends as he did photos.

During an interview in 2016, Tester shared that he bought his first camera at a pawn shop in Bristol for $25. “When we opened Best Photos, we had nothing but a camera. We had to start from scratch to even drumming up business,” he said.

As a career photographer, Tester saw many changes in the industry, with the biggest transition being going from film to digital.

While he witnessed many changes in the photography business, Tester was still out there shooting photos, one subject at a time. To Tester, good photos made for good conversation, and were a subject of pride and a record of history. That was reason enough for Tester to keep carrying his camera and photographing the events in people’s lives.

He especially enjoyed taking pictures of children and animals.

During his time as a businessman in the downtown, Tester was active in the Saturday evening car show, and was a former president of the Carter County Car Club. He was also active in the Elizabethton Downtown Business Association, and especially enjoyed being in the local schools and supporting students.

Tester was an avid bike rider and for his 70th birthday, did a 70-mile bike ride.

Tester loved downtown Elizabethton and enjoyed looking out the front door of his business and viewing the Covered Bridge and the Monument. He took great pride not only in his work, but in the town.

He and his wife, Vella, are the parents of two grown children, Tiffani and John and a granddaughter, Marielle.

Tester lived in the Coal Chute community and he and his wife were active members of Southside Christian Church.

Funeral services will be held Friday evening at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel, with burial to follow Saturday morning.