Elmer Russell Echols, Jr (“Russ”) died peacefully on February 23, 2025. He was born October 4, 1950, in Sanford, Florida to Elmer Russell Echols, Sr (“Tickle”) and Gertrude Elisabeth Echols (“Peg”). He was the older brother of William Hewitt Echols and John Wilson Echols. After a brief move to Texas as a child, Russ returned to the Sanford area where he graduated from high school.

Russ attended Emory University in Atlanta (1969—1973) where he met Anne Lindley Schmidt. The couple married in 1973 and raised two children, Melissa Anne Echols Moynahan and Jarrett Lindley Echols.

Russ had a long career in IT as a project manager and shifted to working as an accountant in his later years. Retired in 2020, Russ enjoyed life to the fullest, cooking, gardening, playing bridge, camping, taking care of his rental properties, and playing with his grandchildren.

Loving husband, father, brother, cousin, Eagle Scout, “Uncle Russ”, “Big Daddy”, story and joke teller, and fire builder, Russ will be very much missed by all who love him.

He is survived by his wife Anne; children Melissa (and her husband Patrick) and Jarrett; his brother Bill and his wife Brenda, and his brother John and his girlfriend Chris; grandchildren Hannah, Adalise and Loukas; cousins who were like sisters, Melissa Reeder and Frances Lundquist, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Atlanta Community Food Bank in Russ’s name.

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/elmer-echols/obituary/

Copy