Joe David Prater

Colonel Joe Prater was my commanding officer at Camp Pendleton, California during the early 1980's. Strong willed with uncompromising integrity, he was exacting in his leadership but always pulled the best out of his men. He recognized and rewarded hard work and had a unique ability to envision what might happen down the road. Many, many of the Colonel's attributes made him an outstanding leader especially his tenacity to fight for what was right on a daily basis. I was blessed to have...

I remember the first time I had lunch with Joe and his whole family. We were all sitting at a long table in a restaurant and Joe decided he was going to shoot the wrapper off of the end of his straw. He meticulously twisted that straw wrapper and after a minute or so he was ready to test his new creation. It traveled all the way down the length of the table so I calmly leaned over to him and said "All those years of military training have finally paid off." I've never seen someone laugh...

Our prayers and sympathy for Joe's family on his passing. He was a wonderful classmate of ours in college, along with his brother Paul. He was an excellent athlete and a very popular friend. I am sure our Heavenly Father has a great reward for him.
Our best wishes and prayers for all his family,
Jimmie and Naomi Levey Coontz

Dear Shirley & Family, you are all in my thoughts & prayers. Even though I have never met you, I am grateful that I am related to such an honorable & great man, as well as the rest of his family.
Ann Prater Whisenhunt (Great Granddaughter of Edward Henderson Prater)

My heart-felt sympathies to Coach Prater's family. Our team in 1959 learned more than basketball from Coach. God Bless
Joe Lee Burns, Col USAF Ret
'59 AHHS Team Charles Kendall, Bobby Bragan, Mike Slack, Harry Brants, Homer Price, Ralph Binford, Tommy Evans, Joe Lee Burns, Fred Dickey,
Jack Jackson, Bob Lanter, Louis Stone, Frank LeGate.

Joe Prater was my coach at Heights and my commanding officer for several years at the Marine Reserve unit in Fort Worth. He was a real leader and mentor for me. He was a unique individual.

I pray that the Lord will comfort his family and friends in the days that follow!

From: Jeff Saari/1963 AHHS - Basketball
First District Champs 19-18 AHHS/PHS Just wanted to say Thank you for everything you have done for me, especially for my Basketball Scholarship to Texas Wesleyn College. Coach you have always been my mentor and so many of us at Arlington High School. Our Thoughts and Prayers are with the Family.

Truely the most positive influence of all of my years ('58'59'60) at Heights.
Coach Prater was not only a great coach
& mentor for many of us,. . but a super
human being. My sincere condolences to
his family.

Shirley and family members. I just want you all to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Joe was such a fine man and he will be missed by all.Our deepest regrets.
Jim & Joyce Lolley