Oral Prater Jr.

Oral ‘J.R.’ Prater Jr., age 67, of Bellefontaine, Ohio passed away at 6:42 pm Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at Mary Rutan Hospital emergency room in Bellefontaine.

He was born in Dayton, Ohio June 10, 1952, a son of the late Oral and Ruby (Brewer) Prater.  He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Don and Dallas Prater.

On September 22, 1973, he married Margaret ‘Maggie’ Ginn and she survives in Bellefontaine along with their three children, Kristie (George) Kinney, Oral Eugene Prater, both of Bellefontaine and Wes Prater of Anna, Ohio; seven grandchildren, Mollie, Kelsey, Paige, Shawn, Aiden, Oliver, and Zoey; five sisters, Louise Bausman, Virginia Young, Carol Prater, Christine Prater and Darlene Johnson and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

J.R. worked in several factories in the area and tended bar at the former Circus Bar in Bellefontaine.  He enjoyed being around people and loved his family, always doing good for others with no expectation of anything in return.  He had special bonds with all his grandchildren including Oliver, to which they were TV buddies.  J.R. also loved to ride motorcycles.

Pastor Michael Mitchell will officiate the funeral service Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine.  Visitation will be held two hours prior to the funeral service at the funeral home.

Burial will follow the funeral service at the Bellefontaine Cemetery.  The family asks that you be symptom-free and please wear a mask if attending.

The staff of the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center in Bellefontaine is honored to serve the Prater family.

T.D.