Kenneth Edward Prather

Kenneth Edward Prather, "Kenny" and "Poppa" of Grandview, Texas passed away on August 21, 2025 in Fort Worth, Texas at the age of 82.
Ken was born June 4, 1943 in Sayre, Oklahoma, to Carroll Edward Prather and Anna Lee (Patten) Smith. He grew up in Willow, Oklahoma and the nearby Spring Creek community. Ken graduated in 1961 from Granite High School, excelling not only in academics, but also in athletics, playing basketball and baseball. He was a member of the State Championship Baseball team of 1960. He attended Southwestern Oklahoma State University to study Chemistry, Physics, and Mathematics, where he received a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Education, in 1965.
Ken's careers involved teaching, working in the oil field and in the Aerospace Industry as a Metallurgist. He taught high school in Oklahoma City, Elk City, and the Canute school systems. Wheat harvest occupied his summers, starting close to the Red River, then to his home town of Willow and continuing to the Texas panhandle, Kansas, and Colorado. He then transitioned to be a chemical engineer in the oil field. The Aerospace Industry brought him back to Texas where he eventually retired. At the end of his career, he was recognized nationally for his service and traveled all over the world.
His passions included listening to a wide variety of music, watching baseball, collecting knives, guns, and sharing his adventures and wisdom.
Celebration of Kennth's life will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, August 30, 2025 at First Baptist Church, Willow, Oklahoma. Rev. Mickey McGee will officiate. Services have been entrusted to the care of Richard and Tammy Dugger and the staff of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Elk City, Oklahoma.
Kenneth Edward Prather is survived by three children, Roderick Scott Prather and wife, Terry of Willow, Oklahoma, Angela Lee Prather Overbay of Amarillo, Texas, and James Royal Prather and wife, Jill of Edmond, Oklahoma; five grandchildren, Keevan Kolsch Prather and his wife, Haidyn, Ashley Jordan Prather, Olivia Noel Overbay, Kory Kolton Prather, and Owen Seger Overbay; two great-grandchildren, Krew and Greer Prather; one sister, Carla Pickrell and husband, Nelson; and two nieces, Molly McBride and husband, Mark, and Dr. Lori Pickrell.
Other survivors include two step children, Carrie Baer and Nathan Baker; four step grandchildren, Madison Wine, Chelsea Baker, Coleman Baker, and Rebekah Baker; two great-grandchildren, Alexis Coady and Quintin Wheeler; and one great-great grandchild, Paisley Greenfeather.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Norma Prather; and his parents, Carl and Anna Lee Smith.
Kenneth also leaves behind special friends, Carolyn Tidwell, and Kelly and Bobby McDaniels; and beloved feline, Etta.
Memorials can be made to the charity of the donor's choice in care of Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services, P.O. Box 707, Elk City, Oklahoma 73648.
We invite you to leave a message of condolence, expression of sympathy or perhaps share a memory of Ken at www.martin-duggerfuneralhome.com.
The family would like to invite all that cannot attend to watch the service live on Martin-Dugger Funeral Home and Cremation Services website.