Kenneth Leo Prater

Services for Kenneth L. Prater, 86, of Tyler, will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 1:30 PM at Westwood Baptist Church with Rev. Bennie Portwood and Tom Crawford officiating. Private burial will follow at Cathedral of the Pines Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Prater passed away Friday, April 26, 2013 in Tyler. He was born November 9, 1926 in Tyler to the late Leeman Leo and Gladys Rhea Tunnell Prater. Kenneth was a member of Westwood Baptist Church where he served as an usher for many years. He graduated from Tyler High school and attended Tyler Junior College. He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Mr. Prater retired from the Cotton Belt Railroad after forty-three years. Baseball was a special part of his life from Tyler High School to semi-pro ball with the Edom Redbirds. He continued his love of sports by playing and coaching softball for Queen Street Baptist Church and Cotton Belt Railroad. After retirement, he stayed active helping his wife with her duties as student activities director at TJC and enjoyed driving the cheerleaders to games. He and his wife spent many enjoyable hours attending TJC sporting events. He was proud of the fact that he attended one hundred twenty-three consecutive TJC football games. He is survived by his loving family including wife of sixty-five years, Emma Lou Wyatt Prater of Tyler; two daughters, Sherry Patterson of Longview and Sandy Adams and husband Rick, of Lufkin; grandchildren, Jason Adams and wife Crystal, Rebecca Rodriguez and husband Kris, all of Lufkin, Jennifer Lowe of Longview, and Julie Odom and husband Jason, of Wylie; great-grandchildren, Regan and Alex Rodriguez, Kolby Adams, and Cole and Caden Odom; sisters, Fern Timmons of Van and Mary Jones of Tyler; and several nieces and nephews. His faithful dog Sugar was with him to the end. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren. Visitation is scheduled from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Monday, April 29, 2013 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, Memorial contributions may be made to Kenneth Prater Scholarship at Tyler Junior College, PO Box 9020, Tyler, Texas 75711-9020 or Westwood Baptist Church, 820 N. Northwest Loop 323 Tyler, Texas 75702.

Kenneth Leo Prater

November 9, 1926 - April 26, 2013