Civic leader McDonald mourned

Scott McDonald, president of FirstBank's Shelbyville and Fayetteville operations and a former Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce executive, died Thursday morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center following a battle with cancer. He was 63.

"Four years ago we decided we wanted to enter the Shelbyville market," said FirstBank president and CEO Doug Cruickshanks. "I called several business owners there and asked who the best banker was in the market. I got the same answer from all of them: Scott McDonald. It was our great fortune he agreed to join our team last year.

"Aside from his considerable banking skills, he was intellectually curious, a man of many and varied interests. But his focus was not on himself but always on those around him. All of my conversations with Scott ended with, 'Doug, is there anything I can do for you?' I have lost a special friend."

McDonald was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration Association and was the brother of Celebration vice-chairman Charles McDonald.

"The Celebration meant a great deal to Scott and he meant a great deal to us," said Celebration CEO Doyle Meadows. "He could always be counted on to do whatever was asked of him throughout this community. He was professional in everything he did, but most of all he was a devoted husband and loving father. Our thoughts are with Charles and the entire McDonald family. With Scott's passing, we have lost a terrific person in our town."

"Although I only knew Scott less than a year, he was a great friend and a valued associate at FirstBank," said Jim Ayers, chairman of the Lexington, Tenn.-based bank.

McDonald was a driving force in the annual "Symphony at the Celebration" concert featuring the Nashville Symphony. Although the concert had been started in 1989 by Berol Corp. and the Shelbyville Rotary Club, McDonald's bank -- which was then known as First American Bank -- took over sponsorship after the first few years. It was McDonald who launched the local steering committee, encouraged the active participation of Bedford County Arts Council and supported the transformation of the concert to include more community performers and involvement.

"Scott was such a blessing to work with on the steering committee," said chairman Dawn Holley, "and was the concert's biggest fan. He will truly be missed, not just as a hard-working committee member, but as a friend."

Changes in bank ownership, and a region-wide sponsorship arrangement with the symphony, made Regions Bank the sponsor of the concert in 2007 and 2008. But McDonald remained a member of the local steering committee. Tommy Anderton of Regions Bank acknowledged McDonald's contributions, and his illness, during his introductory remarks at this year's concert.

McDonald had been with the local bank through several changes in name and ownership. At various times it was Bedford County Bank, First American Bank, and AmSouth Bank before being purchased by FirstBank.

Prior to his banking career, McDonald served as president of Fly Manufacturing Company in Shelbyville for several years and a short term as president of Fly's parent company, Bayley Corporation of Denver, Colo. He then served as executive director of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce.

McDonald is the second prominent local banker to die in recent months; Sydney "Bud" McGrew, founder of First Community Bank of Bedford County, died in March.

McDonald was a native of Fort Knox, Ky., but moved with his family to Middle Tennessee. He was a graduate of Central High School and the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.