ALTO, Ga. — The founder of a popular peach and apple picking destination in north Georgia has passed away.
Jim Echols, the founder of Jaemor Farms in Alto, Georgia, was a husband and father to five children. Echols also had 20 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren, according to a social media post by Jaemor Farms on Saturday.
"He was proud of his family, his farm and his faith in Jesus. One of his passions was serving our customers day in and day out! While we already miss him so much, we know the streets of Heaven are rejoicing at his arrival," the social media post from Jaemor Farms read.
Jaemor Farms is a 500-acre family-owned and operated farm that began in 1912, according to its website. Echols rebranded the farm's name to "Jaemor Farms" in 1981. They grow 32 varieties of peaches, such as Georgia Belle and Elberta peaches.
The farm is also known for its two festivals each year -- the Strawberry Festival in May and the Peach u-Pick Festival in August. In September and October, people can go out there and visit their six-acre corn maze and enjoy their roasted peanuts, boiled peanuts, apple slingshot, and hayrides, among many other activities.
Jaemor Farms is located off Cornelia Highway.