Richard “Rick” Terry Prater, 65, formerly of Bellefontaine, Ohio passed away Monday, November 1, 2010 at the Dayton VA Medical Center. He was born on March 31, 1945 in Bellefontaine to the late Gerald and Fern (Matthews) Prater.
Surviving are his ex-wife, Linda (Burgbacher) Prater; sons, Biff Prater of Chicago, Illoinois and Ty Prater of Westerville, Ohio; a daughter, Patricia (Hugh) Jones of Saint Augustine, Florida; a sister, Nancy (Byron) Scott of Bellefontaine and six grandchildren, Taylor, Andrew, Caroline & Elizabeth Prater and Trevor and Evan Jones.
Rick graduated from Bellefontaine High School and was a United States Marine serving in the Vietnam War. He loved his kids, grandkids and maintained a special friendship with his ex-Wife Linda to whom he was married for over thrity years.
At his request a celebration of his life will be held in lieu of formal funeral proceedings. The celebration will be from 2 to 5 P.M. Saturday, November 6, 2010 at the American Legion 120 Colton Ave. in Bellefontaine.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions be made to the Dayton VA Hospitality House c/o VFW House P.O. Box 28156 Dayton, OH 45428 in memory of Rick Prater.
The staff at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine handled the arrangements.