James Richard Echols

Born March 25, 1935 in Forsyth County Georgia, Jim was the oldest son of Catherine and Euell Echols.

The family moved to Atlanta in the early 1940s. Jim attended public school and graduated from Murphy High School in 1953. He enlisted in the US Army Reserves and served 8 years, attaining the rank of Master Sergeant.

Jim was a hard worker and eventually landed a job in sales with IBM for whom he worked 8 years. During that time, Jim founded Auto-Bind Corp, which was acquired by Lanier Business Products in 1962. After working for Lanier for 18 years, Jim became Vice-President and Regional Manager.

Following a fun filled courtship, on October 23, 1963, Jim married Ethel Mildred Hughes. In 1964 they had their first son Rick and in 1968 Mike was born.

While working full time, Jim attended night school at Georgia State University and eventually earned a Master's Degree in Business Administratio from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School.

Jim resigned his position with Lanier in 1980 and founded Echodata Corporation and began manufacturing printer ribbons in the basement of his family’s Riverview home. During the ensuing years the company grew from 4 employees to over 300. In 1989, Echodata was purchased by Data Products Corp.

Jim’s life was not all about work. He was an avid golfer, and enjoyed sailing and bird hunting. He spent much of his retirement at the Atlanta Athletic Club, which he joined in 1975. There he socialized with the many friends that meant so much to him. He was never far from an “Echols Martini” (6:1 vodka extra dirty on the rocks in a styrofoam cup).

Jim was a 32nd-Degree Mason and an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church. He was a member of and served on the board of Shallowford Presbyterian Church in Atlanta. He also taught Sunday school.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 56 years, Ethel Mildred Echols, sons James Richard Echols Jr. and Michael Scott Echols, and daughters Debra Lynn Thomas and Donna Lee Hofer. He has 9 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild.

A private family service will be held in Raleigh, NC.