KENNETH WAYNE PRATHER

1949 - 2023

KENNETH WAYNE PRATHER, of Fort Wayne, left this world on Friday, May 19, 2023. Ken was a lot of things during his 74 years in this life- a fan of IU basketball and the Indianapolis Colts, a disc jockey, a hospice grief and bereavement volunteer, a poet, a Putt-Putt state champion, a fun bowling partner, an animal lover, an ally for Native American tribes and cultures, a friend of Doris Buffet and The Sunshine Ladies, a graduate of Fort Wayne Central High School, an avid softball player, and a public speaker. But more than anything, he was a kind and caring man. He spent countless days at The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Camp Watcha Wanna Do, Black Pine Animal Sanctuary, and the Fort Wayne Children's Hospital, sharing time with children living with serious diagnoses and their families, showing them empathy and love during nearly impossible times. He founded a program called Reaching for Joy, grounding him as he reached out to others to help them to better see their worth and purpose, no matter their youth or older age, and focused much of this time in long-term care facilities. The hundreds of articles and letters found after his passing confirm that not only was he easy to like and talk with, but that his time with people changed their lives for the better. He made a difference for so many others. Although Ken loved this beautiful and challenging life, he was at peace as he prepared to pass. Even on his last day here, he smiled with his eyes in his special way and whispered "I love you" to his children, who sat by his bedside. It was no mistake that in those final moments the birds chattered outside, the wind blew through the open window and the sun created mini rainbows on his blanket. He is survived by his daughters, Tina (nee Prather) (Jeff) McIntosh and Corrina (nee Prather) (Chad) Thompson; son, Brian (Charity) Prather; grandchildren, Maia, Webster, Georgia and Dylan; a number of biological siblings who were reunited when he was in his fifties, as well as hundreds of people who are better for knowing him. Ken joins his mom, Edna Wagoner Prather; dad, Dean Linden Prather; love-of-his-life Newfoundland dog, Bear; and two of his best friends who were like brothers, Tom O'Brien and Bruce Kipfer on the other side. A celebration of Ken's life is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 26, 2023, at Sun Rise Caf‚, 10230 Coldwater Road, Fort Wayne, Ind. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, donor's favorite charity, or "that you simply show extra kindness to a stranger" in Ken's memory.