Ronald Neal Echols, 88, passed away on Friday, April 24, 2026. He was born on November 2, 1937, to Louis Durwin (L.D.) and Flora Wayne Echols in Lamesa, Texas. His older sibling was Richard Durwin “Dick” Echols. He grew up in Lamesa and graduated from Lamesa High School. He attended Texas Tech and Baylor University and was a proud member of the Baylor A Capella Choir from 1958-1959. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Baylor in 1961.
He married his college sweetheart, Jan Blacklock, on August 8, 1961. They moved to Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, where he served in the United States Army Reserves. He worked for Humble Oil for eight years as a sales supervisor and trainer of new dealers. Together, they moved to nine towns in eleven years. Their daughter Jennifer was born in Abilene, and their daughter Jessica was born in Ft. Worth.
After leaving Humble Oil, Neal owned a Dunkin’ Donuts franchise before returning to Lamesa in 1972, where he acquired a bulk plant from Humble Oil. In 1974, he became owner of the Neal Echols Ford dealership. In 1975, he purchased a Lincoln-Mercury dealership and ran both for five years. During his time in Lamesa, he was a member of First Baptist Church, where he participated in the choir and contributed to the ministries led by Jan and Michael Gott. He loved being part of the community in which he had grown up.
In 1980, he bought three gas stations and moved his family to Lubbock, where he resided until his death. He started Universal Cash System in 1994 and was thrilled when his nephew, Jason, purchased the business in 2009. He was an entrepreneur at heart, earning both his real estate license and insurance license throughout his career. He recorded two tracks with his high school band, The Raindrops. He earned his pilot’s license in 1976 and joined the Corvette Club in 2006. He loved their condo in Ruidoso, collectibles, travel, slot tournaments, classic car shows, and the Baylor Bears. His proudest achievement was his family. He was thankful for his two sons‑in‑law, Jeff and Jim, and loved them like his own sons. In his later years, his greatest joy came from his four grandchildren and his Pomeranian, Storm.
Neal is survived by his wife, Jan, of nearly 65 years; his daughters, Jennifer Echols Allen and husband Jeff of Plano, Texas, and Jessica Echols Maynard and husband Jim of Clarksville, Tennessee; his four beloved grandchildren, Rachel Allen Horton and husband Caleb, McKenzie Maynard, Luke Allen, and Kendall Maynard. He is also survived by his brother‑ and sister‑in‑law, Stan and Judy Blacklock; three nephews, Chad Blacklock, Jason Blacklock, and Jimmy Echols; two nieces, Melinda Selby and Mai Echols; and many other dear friends and helpers that allowed them to remain living in their Lubbock home. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Michael Gott International Ministry (MGI Global). https://www.mgi.global/giving
