Raymond Echols

Raymond P. Echols was born September 6, 1922 in Portsmouth, Virginia to William T. and Winona Echols. He was the youngest of 5 children. His siblings, 2 brothers and 2 sisters all preceded him in death. He graduated from Cradock High School in 1939 and came to Indiana to attend Marion College (now, Indiana Wesleyan University) to prepare for the ministry, graduating with A.B. in English in 1943. That same year he married Delores Meredith. To that union were born Elaine, Paulette, and Jay B. Echols. In 1944 he entered the United Methodist Church ministry and began study at Garrett Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He graduated with a M.Div. degree in 1947. His pastorates, all in Indiana included Goldsmith-Hopewell; First UMC, Carmel; First UMC, Kendallville; Broadway UMC, Logansport; Fairview UMC, Bloomington and Broad Ripple UMC, Indianapolis. During these years a number of leadership roles both in the Church and communities. In the North Indiana Conference he was chair of the Board of Education, Dean and speaker at Youth Institute at Epworth Forest, Board of Ministerial Training, Board of Hospitals and Homes, Wesley Foundations at both Purdue and Indiana Universities. In the South Conference he chaired the Interboard Council. He also served on the Indiana Area Television, Radio and Film Commission. Community services included Chairing Red Cross Blood Programs in both, Kendallville and Logansport, Vice Chairman of both the United Fund Board and campaign in Logansport, and president of the Cass County Mental Health Association. In Bloomington, he was vice president and program chairman of the Council of Social Agencies. In 1967, Ray withdrew from the ministry to enter higher education. He was Dean of Student Services at Indiana University-Kokomo for 18 years and adjunct lecturer in Public Speaking. During this time, he completed a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel Administration and a doctorate in Higher Education. In 1968 he married Shirley Thomson Bowsher of Indianapolis. Their “merged family” included his three and her three- Roberta Quandt (deceased), Andrea Feezle and Greg Bowsher and grew to include 10 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Ray retired from Indiana University-Kokomo in 1985 and he and Shirley moved to Cherokee Village, Arkansas in 1986 where he resumed a very active role in church and community life. He served as president of the AARP, Property Owners Association; as interim pastor of the Spring River Presbyterian Church, as program chairman of the Spring River Enterainment Association, sang in church choirs and the Community Chorus, and was a frequent speaker to church and community clubs and organizations. In 2003, he and Shirley returned to Indianapolis. His hobbies included golf, fishing, classical music, reading and travel. His outstanding characteristic was his curiosity. He knew “a little bit about a lot of things” and maintained his interest in acquiring more knowledge by devouring the daily newspaper and surfing the internet. With 41 years combined in the ministry and higher education, he touched many lives and attempted to influence them for better. As Dean, his philosophy was that “to be Dean OF student was to be FOR students”. But the greatest love of his life was his wife, Shirley. A Memorial Celebration will be 11:00 am Thursday September 23, 2010 at Meridian Street United Methodist Church 5500 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46208 with visitation 10:00 to 11:00 am. Our family thanks hospice for wonderful care the last 7 weeks, especially Kelly Duncan, R.N. Memorial Contributions can be made to Meridian Street United Methodist Church 5500 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, Indiana 46208