John M. “Jack” Street of Atlanta, Georgia passed into eternal life on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at his home surrounded by family. He was 83 years old. Jack was born on June 28, 1930 in Omaha, Nebraska to Maurice and Emma (Wiggs) Street. His early life was filled with music. He sang his first solo, My Heart’s in the Highlands, at his grade-school graduation. He attended Omaha Central High, graduating in 1948. During high school, he sang the leading roles in Gilbert and Sullivan’s Mikado and Sigmund Romberg’s New Moon. He received a music scholarship from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and enrolled there in 1948. In June of 1950, Jack traveled to Denver to visit his sister, Martha. While there, he landed a job at a local radio station, and he auditioned and won the lead role in The Denver Post’s production of the New Moon, an operetta he knew quite well from his high school days. During the production, he met his leading lady, Kathleen Scott. The two fell in love and married one year later. Jack joined the Air Force during the Korean War, which postponed his musical plans. But after his honorable discharge from the service, he enrolled in night school at the University of Denver and obtained his degree in business. The 1950’s and early 1960’s were a busy time for the newly married couple: Kathleen and Jack were blessed with four children, Debra, Lisa, John and Bob. They actively continued their involvement in music. They sang together as soloists with their church choir and with the Antonio Brico Symphony Orchestra. Jack also held leading roles in Brico’s presentation of Beethoven’s Fidelio, Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi and Mozart’s The Magic Flute. In 1967, Jack moved his family to Atlanta to accept a position with Lockheed. While his work kept him challenged and fulfilled, he continued to follow his musical passion. They both joined Robert Shaw’s Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Jack also became the music director at St. Jude’s Catholic Church and later, Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He and Kathleen sang for many weddings and other social events. Throughout his later years, Jack was actively involved singing in barbershop choruses and several barbershop quartets including the “Sentimental Journey.” In 1997, he and Kathleen performed live at Carnegie Hall in celebration of Kathleen’s 70th birthday. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Martha (Street) Liehe, and his wife of 59 years, Kathleen (Scott) Street. He is survived by his four children, Debra Street (husband Keith Miller) of Silver Spring, MD, Lisa Street (husband Jimmy Ray) of Douglasville, GA, John Street (wife Mary Beazley) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Bob Street of Mt. Pleasant, SC.; five grandchildren, Rob Street (wife Laura (Salzillo) Street) of Charleston, SC, Matthew and Patrick Ray of Douglasville, GA, and Alice and Ethan Street of Colorado Springs, CO. A funeral mass will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2013 at St. Jude Catholic Church, 7171 Glenridge Dr. NE, Atlanta, GA 30328. Interment at Arlington Memorial Park.
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