UPDATE: Citizens Trust Bank Mourns James Young

James Young, one of Atlanta's leading bankers and corporate leaders, passed away early Sunday morning after a battle with cancer.

Young was president and CEO of .

"Our hearts are deeply saddened," said Cynthia Day, former senior executive vice president and COO, who now has moved into Young's role as president and CEO. "We have lost a giant not only in the community, but also the city and the nation.

"We will ensure that the legacy he built at this bank and in the community will continue."

Day said Young passed away in his sleep while at home.

Young served as president and CEO of Citizens Trust since 1998, when Citizens Trust merged with First Southern Bank of DeKalb County, where he had been president and CEO since 1993.

“Atlanta has lost one of the pillars of our community," said U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Atlanta." James Young helped to hold this community together. He used the principles of sound finance to build the holdings and assets of the bank he headed, but he never forgot the people he was called to serve.

"He was always accessible, always willing to find a way to use his knowledge of fiscal affairs to solidify local organizations and everyday families. He leaves a powerful void in our community that can only be filled by a unique combination of expertise and compassion. He will be deeply missed.”

According to , Young's banking career began in 1971. He also served on the board of directors for Central Atlanta Progress, The Commerce Club, the MinBanc Foundation, and RockTenn Company, as well as:

• the National Bankers Association
• Boys & Girls Club of Atlanta
• Metro Atlanta YMCA
• DeKalb Medical Center
• Morris Brown College, and
• the Community Bankers Association of Georgia.

Young also was a member the Atlanta Committee for Progress, The Carter Center, the Rotary Club of Atlanta, and the DeKalb County Chapter of 100 Black Men of America.

Young is survived by wife Rebecca, three sons and a daughter.