Martin "Marty Sign Man" Prather

Martin Glenn Prather's legacy will extend well beyond a Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction as a superfan or a small businessman who achieved monumental success or, most important – a loving husband, father and grandfather.

For all who ever met Marty, whether they were friends for 50 years or 5 minutes, he made them smile with his warm personality, unforgettable laugh and generosity. He was simply a good guy, which seems the best compliment of all.

Marty passed away on September 28, 2025 after a brief illness at the age of 67. What a life it was for a man born in Evansville, Indiana on May 26, 1958, who was raised in Ohio and touched so many lives in southwest Missouri.

Known affectionately as "The Sign Man" for his unwavering love and dedication to the St. Louis Cardinals and Missouri State Bears, Marty waved his first sign at a sporting event during the 1985 World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals. Believing it to be a one-time thing, Prather received a phone call from his father in Florida telling him that he and his friend – seen dressed in tuxedos holding up his "The Fat Lady Is Singing" sign – had made national television.

A hobby was born. Prather estimated he made more than 700 signs with at least 1,400 clever sayings over the years. He was loyal to his teams, their coaches, players and fellow fans through thick and thin. Moreover, he became a lifelong friend and extended family member to many.

"Marty was a member of so many families and loved by anyone that crossed his path," said one of his closest friends, former Missouri State basketball coach Barry Hinson.

Marty became a Missouri Sports Hall of Famer in 2003, inducted as the first "superfan" into the Hall. He was equally successful in the business world where he and business partner Art Hurteau owned and operated Domino's Pizza franchises throughout southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas. The duo was awarded the Gold Franny Award by Domino's earlier in 2025 for the 10th time. The award is chosen among 750 franchise owners across the United States for operational audit scores, community involvement, store safety and team member morale.

Marty was born in Evansville, Indiana and raised in Bellbrook, Ohio. He grew up a Cincinnati Reds fan during the team's "Big Red Machine" dominance of the 1970s. He attended Wright State University and became a bigger Cardinals fan a few years later, when he and Hurteau opened their first Domino's Pizza franchise in north St. Louis County and he met team stars Ozzie Smith and Willie McGee.

He moved to the Ozarks in 1981 where he and Hurteau opened his first Domino's store a year later on South Glenstone. Marty became a tireless ambassador for the Domino's brand, cooking the pizzas and delivering them himself when needed.

Soon, Marty adopted the Cardinals and Missouri State Bears as his teams – though he remained loyal to his beloved Cincinnati Bengals even in the middle of Chiefs Kingdom during the 2023 AFC championship which Kansas City narrowly won.

One of Marty's passions was his basement at home, which was a museum of sports memorabilia with rooms dedicated to the Cardinals, Reds, Bengals, Ohio State, and Missouri State Bears.

Marty was preceded in death by parents Eugenia McLemore and William Prather. He is survived by wife Karin Prather (nee Ruether); daughter Rachel Tiner and husband Joseph Tiner and their son Haze Tiner; sisters Tamara Prather and Michelle Zander and her husband Steve Zander, as well as many other family members and friends.

There's no telling how many lives Marty touched and it made him happy to do so. He always carried a stack of Domino's coupons and was well known for giving them to people, even if they tried to decline. Marty always gave them away with a huge smile.

As he processed sadness, Missouri State basketball Hall of Famer Danny Moore recalled Prather attending his first game at the school in 1996 and also attending his wedding and jersey retirement ceremony many years later – all the while waving signs to help celebrate each milestone.

"Marty was always there not just as a fan but a great friend for me and many others – and I still have all the pizza coupons he's ever given me," Moore said.

For those who mourn Marty's passing, his friend Hinson offered words of comfort. The best way to remember Marty is to be more like him.

"The challenge we all face after we lose a loved one is how to honor them," Hinson said. "Marty would want us to be kind, caring and loving. That's how we honor this great man."

Visitation will be Sunday, October 5th from 2-8 p.m. at Greenlawn Funeral Home East. Funeral services will be Monday, October 6th at Juanita K. Hammons Hall at 10 a.m. Arrangements for a luncheon to follow are still being finalized.

Parking will be available on the Missouri State campus and will not be ticketed. Use of the nearby garage is preferred.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Missouri State Athletics or the Domino's Pizza Partners Foundation. Information for both is provided below.

Domino's Pizza Partners Foundation:

Links: Partner's Foundation

Checks:

Partners Foundation

30 Frank Llyod Wright Dr

Ann Arbor, MI

48106

Donations can be taken over the phone at (734)882-4947.

Missouri State Athletics:

Meyer Alumni Center

C/O Athletic Development

300 S Jefferson Ave

Springfield, MO 65806