Richard E. Prather

AS I TRY TO THINK OF WHAT TO SAY ABOUT MY FATHER, THE WORDS DO NOT COME EASILY. NOTHING I COULD SAY CAN EVEN BEGIN TO EXPLAIN THE MAN MY FATHER WAS TO ME. HE QUITE SIMPLY WAS THE GREATEST MAN I HAVE EVER KNOWN.HE MADE SURE TO TEACH ME ALL THE THINGS EVERY BOY NEEDS TO KNOW TO BECOME A GOOD MAN, HUSBAND, AND FATHER, AND AS ALWAYS, HE LED BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE. MY FATHERS LIFE WAS NOT AN EASY ONE, YET HE NEVER LET LIFE BEAT HIM, OR CAUSE HIM TO LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT, HIS WIFE...

MY DAD WAS A GREAT MAN, A MUSIC MAN AS MOST WELL KNOW. HE NEVER MET AN INSTUMENT HE DIDN'T LIKE... HE NEVER JUGDED ME FOR BEING A ROCK MUSICIAN, HE ONLY ENCOURAGED ME AND ALL MY FRIENDS TO PLAY LIKE IT WAS YOUR LAST GIG EVER AND TO BE TRUE TO YOURSELF. AND PEOPLE WOULD SEE YOUR TRUE LOVE FOR WHAT YOU WERE DOING AND SOMEHOW THEY TOO WOULD BE MOVED JUST TOO SEE THE JOY YOU COULD BRING WITH MUSIC. MY WHOLE FAMILY HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF MY MUSIC CAREER AND IF ONLY TO SEE THE SMILE ON MY PARENTS...

We were truly blessed when God sent you to us. You took all of us under your "wings" and shown us your love, patience and understanding. You treated everyone as equal (something everyone needs to learn). After all is said & done, everyone is measured by their actions. You will always be the biggest man, with the biggest shoulders, and warmest heart, I was given the honor to call My Dad. Thank you Dad!
" I am not lost, but living still, for dying merely frees us to walk in angel's...

My Christian sympathy to you, the Prather family. I got to know your dad from working with him for many years at Auto Wares. I appreciated and respected Rich highly. I considered Rich a good friend. May God bless each one of you during this time of sorrow.

The clouds blow by, the rain comes down but the "Son" always shines through.

In My Pocket

I have memories in my pocket.
They rattle among the change.

My memories of you are treasures I carry wherever I go.

They are stored in bits and pieces, parts of a beautiful whole
They give me comfort when I think I am alone.

Yes, I have memories in my pocket, like so much other stuff I keep there.

But of all the treasures I have, it’s the memories of you that are the most precious.

My Dearest Grandfather, may you always be remembered as an honest man with great pride, strength, and the will to fight and survive. You taught me so much without even knowing it. May you and Grandmother smile down upon us in peace. We love you eternally.

April

Our many thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow may you find peace in your memories of your father.

Brian and Julie Boice
and Jimmy and Talon

We remember the family as our friends and neighbors on Carol Drive in Jension. Please accept our sincerest sympathies.

Kim (Mellema) O'Berry
[email protected]
Kerri (Mellema) Harris
[email protected]