John Houston Echols

John Houston Echols, ppassed away peacefully in his sleep with family by his side the 7th of November 2014 in Houston, Texas. He was born on the 1st of November 1958 to John Cape Echols and Deanna Opryshek Echols in Hobart, Oklahoma. Shortly after his birth the family moved back to Baytown, Texas where he was raised with his two beloved brothers, Andrew and Hugh. He attended Robert E. Lee High School and graduated in 1977 with many of his friends who remain close companions.

He received a degree in History from Southern Methodist University. John followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, grandmother and father to become a banker with Citizens Bank and Trust in Baytown, Texas. He served as President and CEO of Citizens Bankers, Inc., and served as CEO of Citizens Bank and Trust.

John had a love for the outdoors and two of his passions were hunting and fishing. One of his favorite hunting spots was at his family’s ranch in South Texas. He especially loved hunting in the winter mornings when the wind had a slight chill. As much as he loved South Texas, he was equally enamored with the sea. In college he participated in Semester at Sea, and afterwards sailed with his father and brothers to many parts of the world on the Lone Star. He also fished with close friends in numerous fishing tournaments in the Gulf of Mexico, Bahamas, and Bermuda. He loved fishing on the family boat, Boogieman.

John always preached the importance of family. He was very close with his own family and considered many of his close friends his extended family. He emphasized the value of listening and honesty, both characteristics he instilled in his children. He was an incredible father to Caroline, John and Hugh and was very proud of them. His greatest joy in life was being a father to his three beautiful children.

His role as a father could only be surpassed by his role as a husband to his wife Christy. Both John and Christy were raised in Baytown and attended SMU. It was his quick-witted humor that wooed her for the 30 years they spent married. While he loved to poke fun at her expense, there is no question who the love of his life was.

His father John Cape Echols preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Christy Gentry Echols; his daughter, Caroline Cape Echols Prugar and husband, Chris; his sons John Gentry Echols and Hugh Houston Echols III; his mother, Deanna Opryshek Echols; his brothers, Andrew Cape Echols and Hugh Alexander Echols; his nephew Stuart Cape Echols, and niece Cape Evelyn Echols; his in-laws Shirley and Tom Gentry; sisters and brothers in law Suzanne Heinrich, Laura and Deacon Winters, and Stephanie and Allen Gentry; his nieces and nephew Christy Suzanne Heinrich, Laura Catherine Goodin, Michael Marian Heinrich, and Mabry Carole Gentry and Thomas Baker Gentry.

A memorial service is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon, on Tuesday the 11th of November at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, 717 Sage Road, where The Rev. Martin J. Bastian, Vice Rector, is to officiate. Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception in the adjacent Bagby Parish Hall.

The family wishes to express special thanks to Dr. H. Alejandro Preti and the extraordinary staff at Methodist Hospital for their care and compassion.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in John’s memory may be directed to Wounded Warrior Project, 2200 Space Park Drive, Suite 100, Houston, TX, 77058.