THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, November 6, 1996 TAG: 9611050128
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: CLOSE-UP
LENGTH: 58 lines
After 22 years with Tidewater Regional Transit, there were a couple things executive director Jim Echols wanted to do when he retired this fall.
Travel was one.
``This is a little different though now,'' said Echols who for years was a major player in public transportation developments in Hampton Roads. ``This is out of town.''
Retirement won't be all traveling, though. Gardening is also big on his to-do list. ``I don't want to spend all my time on the road.''
And he's going to be keeping his eye on local transit issues. Looking ahead, he said, ``I think this area is going to get light rail because it's going to be needed . . . And it will also show this area can work together to do something.''
Full name: James Craig Echols.
Hometown: Roanoke.
What brought you to the Beach? Employed by Tidewater Regional Transit.
Birthdate: Sept. 13, 1933.
Occupation: Retired as executive director of TRT
Nickname: Jim.
Marital status: Married to Sylvia for 41 years.
Children: Jeff, 40, and Glenn, 38, live in Roanoke. Carol, 37, lives in Marietta, Ga., and Sarah, 27, lives in Nashville, Tenn. Seven grandchildren.
What is your idea of a perfect day off? A day outside.
Last smart thing you did: Listened to Sylvia.
Last dumb thing you did: Spoke before checking with Sylvia.
Favorite meal: Fried chicken and potato salad.
Favorite movies: Science fiction: ``Star Wars.''
Favorite song: Classical music: ``Little Things Mean A Lot.''
Last book read: ``In the Tennessee Country'' by Peter Taylor.
Hobbies: Gardening, working in the yard.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? Learn to listen better.
If you could change one thing about your spouse, what would it be? Devote some of her attention to someone other than me.
Secret vice: Drinking beer.
Favorite restaurant: Lynnhaven Fish House. I have bragged on this restaurant all over the country.
Your favorite night on the town: On the Elizabeth River in downtown Norfolk.
Favorite TV shows: History.
Favorite sport: College football, especially Virginia Tech.
Last vacation: A month in England and Wales.
Pets: None.
Worst job: Clerk in a small grocery store.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Maintaining transit service for a lot of people who could have lost it: working to improve traffic flows.
hat[sic] would you like as your epitaph? He did his job. ILLUSTRATION: Staff file photo by RICHARD L. DUNSTON by CNB