
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 17, 1995                   TAG: 9506210025
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: KENNETH SINGLETARY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

INSURANCE AGENT GALE ECHOLS DEAD AT 53

Long-time Blacksburg insurance agent and church elder Gale Echols, who died Friday after a long illness, is being remembered as a man who was devoted to his family, church and to helping his neighbors. He was 53.

"Gale was a very benevolent person. He did many great works," said Vince Guerra, pastor of Tried-Stone Christian Center, where Echols was an elder and music director. "He was a man of integrity. He tried to keep his priorities straight."

Echols counseled people through domestic and financial problems, and illness, Guerra said.

"He had a real concern for people."

Echols owned a State Farm insurance agency for 26 years and was partner with Charlie Turman for 10 of those years.

Echols was "always willing to help people when they needed help," Turman said.

Echols was "somebody to depend on to be there with you," Turman said. "He was a real caring person. He's really going to be missed in the community."

"Gale's enthusiasm for life was apparent even during his illness," said his wife, Joann P. Echols. "His sense of humor burst forth frequently wherever he was - with friends, family or business associates. His sensitive and caring rapport with everyone he met drew people to him and they responded to him with the same love and respect he extended."

Echols is survived by his wife and daughters Jennifer Gayle Echols and Julie Elaine Echols, all of Blacksburg; and stepson John David Rose and daughter-in-law Bryn Rose, and stepson James French Rose, all of West Palm Beach, Fla. His mother is Mamie Dillon Echols, of Blacksburg. Sister Arlene E. Skurupey and brother-in-law Fred Skurupey live in Blacksburg, as do brother Shirley B. Echols and sister-in-law Ruth M. Echols.

Echols' company and his brother's Blacksburg Installation Company Co. Inc. will be closed until Tuesday.

The funeral will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at Blacksburg United Methodist Church. The family is requesting that donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

by CNB