Alphas Remember Late Brother

Student Died in Summer Accident

By Bekah Oester

The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. held a bonfire Sept. 10 to celebrate the life of fellow Alpha, Dexter R. Street Sr.

Street, 22, of Upper Marlboro, was a senior sociology major scheduled to graduate this December. He died in a motorcycle accident on August 5, ten days before his 23rd birthday. He is survived by his parents, two brothers, a stepsister, his grandparents, his fiancé of eight years, Justine Murray, and their son, Dexter R. Street Jr.

Although memorial services were held for Street on August 14, the Alphas took the opportunity to host a celebration in his honor during the school year for students, brothers, and other friends.

As everyone stood around the fire in a circle, each person was given the opportunity to share their favorite memories of Street. The different people present and the memories they shared all shed light on the many roles Street held in his life: son, father, brother, fiancé, student, Christian, biker, senior bank teller, Mr. Commuter and member of the Broken Silence Bike Club.

The evening held more laughs than tears.  Many funny anecdotes were told, and many individuals mentioned that they remembered Street for his smile as well as his many strong qualities including helpfulness, kindness and love for others. One brother, BSU senior Jeremiah Brew said, "He was a leader...he could do anything...had love for everyone...as simple as that."

Present at the bonfire were Street's parents, son, fiancé, friends, fraternity brothers, and friends from his motorcycle club and his former university, University of Maryland Eastern Shore. As Murray put it, "He was a big part of all of our lives." While the loss is a difficult one, she holds tight to words Street lived by: "This too shall pass."

Street's mother mentioned that she thanks God for the chance to raise "such a wonderful son," and is trying hard "not to ask why." His father said that he finds the most comfort in knowing that his son is in heaven because he knew Christ as his savior.

Friends and family have also poured out love and support for Street and his family via a Facebook group, "R.I.P. Dexter: Gone But Never Forgotten," and an online guestbook through the Washington Post.

A scholarship fund for Dexter Jr. has been established and will remain open for donations until it is time for him to go to college.  Donations can be made to Street's former place of employment, the Waldorf branch of the Educational Systems Federal Credit Union, 169A Smallwood Village Center, Waldorf, Md., to the attention of Robin Nordt.