Joseph Caldwell Street, age 77 of Franklin, TN passed away July 30, 2026, in Nashville, TN.

Joe was a Tennessee native, born in Chattanooga in 1948. He left there at age 14 to travel the United States for his father's work during the years leading up to his graduation from East Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte, NC, in 1966.

That fall, Joe entered college at the University of North Carolina. The family once again moved, this time to Ames, Iowa, for his father's work and for Joe to attend Iowa State University.

After graduating in 1970, Joe took his first industry job in Kansas City as a structural designer for fossil fuel and nuclear power plant construction at Black & Veatch Engineering. It was there that Joe met his first true love, Jodi Street, who became his wife four years later. Together, they had two children, Michael and Suzanne, while living in Kansas City.

During this time, however, Joe recognized that there was yet another love in his life—the construction industry. While he appreciated that designing structural steel for nuclear power plants was both meaningful and rewarding, it simply wasn't a replacement for the passion and curiosity that had been cultivated over many years of observing his father's career. That passion was further developed through years of working on his father's construction projects during summer breaks, giving him the opportunity to gain experience in nearly every construction trade.

Universal Construction in Kansas City became Joe's first true commercial construction venture, where he primarily built hospitals. After eight years at Universal, an opportunity arose to move to Nashville to help build Phase 2 of the Opryland Hotel. Decades later, Joe retired from a distinguished career as President of T. W. Frierson Contractor, Inc.

Joe is survived by his son, Michael Street of Knoxville, TN; his daughter, Suzanne DuBose of Franklin, TN; his sister, Jill Phelan of Jefferson, GA; and his grandson, Andrew DuBose.

Joe would want to give special acknowledgment to the following people who made a lasting impact on his life.

First and foremost, he would recognize his stepmother, Charlotte Evans, who was the greatest single influence in his life. She taught him patience, cultivated his sense of humor, and gave him a firm understanding of the Almighty.

He would also honor his father, William Alfred Street, who taught him much of what he needed to succeed in the construction and automotive industries.

Joe was deeply grateful for his sister, Jill Phelan, whose constant support during an unstable home environment instilled in him confidence and a strong sense of self-worth.

He would also acknowledge Universal Construction Company of Kansas City, Kansas, for giving him the opportunity to apply his building skills in the world of commercial construction.

Finally, Joe was sincerely thankful to T. W. Frierson Contractor, Inc. for the opportunities the company provided him and his family over 25 years.