John B. Echols

March 15, 1941 - January 1, 2019
John B. Echols

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John B. Echols, 77, passed away Tuesday, January 1, 2019 at Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.

John was born on March 15, 1941 in Lancaster, Ohio to John B. Echols, Sr. and Virginia Manning Echols who predeceased him.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Echols; son, Christopher Echols and wife Kristi; daughter, Emily Echols and fiance Chuck Payne: sister Judith Echols; brother-in-laws Thomas Graf and Charles Graf.

John graduated Lancaster High School in Lancaster, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio. He resided in Lancaster until 1992 when he moved with his family to Wilmington, NC. He was a proud member of The Salvation Army, Good Shepard Center, Response Emergency Management Org. ( REMO ), New Hanover Hospital Volunteer Services, Lifetime member of Nights of Columbus , Lifetime member of United Commercial Travelers, The New Hanover County Arboretum and Community Emergency Response Team ( CERT ). He was also a former usher and parishioner of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

John was employed by the North Carolina Division of the Blind and retired at the age of 67.

He served his country faithfully in Vietnam having served in the U.S. Air Force.

A memorial mass will be held Monday, January 7, 2019 at 9:00am at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church , 6650 Carolina Beach Road , Wilmington, NC 28412.

In lieu of flowers contributions in his may be made to The Good Shepherd Center, 811 Martin Street, Wilmington, NC 28401.

Please share memories and condolences with the family by clicking on the “ Post a Condolence “ tab below.

Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington NC 28403 910.791.9099


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  • January 04, 2019
    Dan and Kathy Graney says:
    He will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with you Mary Jo.

  • January 04, 2019
    Linda Brett Kell says:
    Remembering John and Mary Jo,'s visit when we lived in Florida. Sorry we didn't get to see you after moving back to the steak. Please know Mary Jo Chris and Emily my prayers are with you. I know our loving Heavenly Father will give you strength and peace.

  • January 06, 2019
    Christina Graf Byelick says:
    Deepest condolences to all the family members of Uncle John. John was a very special man – – one of his incredible attributes was his ability to talk to and instantly relate to anyone he encountered. He had the gift of making instant connections with others and never met a stranger. He always had a story or a joke to share. John wholeheartedly loved God, his family, and our country. He was a huge supporter of others in need – – especially our military personnel. We shared a love for cooking and gardening. I treasure the times we walked through my garden together. My last conversation with him just before Christmas was about an angel trumpet plant he had given me. I shared that I had brought it in the house for the winter – – and it was still blooming. I reminded him that I still carry the guardian angel medallion he gave me the morning of my wedding in 2007. The many stories and plants that he has passed on to me over the years will be cherished in my memory garden – – somewhat fitting since one of my earliest memories of him was when I served as the flower girl in his wedding.