Ronald “Ron” Lee Prater went home to be with Jesus on Saturday February 1, 2020 at age 73 after a long battle with diabetic complications. Ron was born to Benjamin G. Prater and Betty L. Driscoll Prater on August 30, 1946 in Salina, Kansas. After graduating high school, Ron went on to attend Kansas Wesleyan University where he earned a BA in economics in the spring of 1969. Ron used his degree to go on and manage department stores such as, JC Penny, Montgomery Ward, and Venture. Ron was a whiz in business management and customer service, and he loved utilizing his exceptional skills in the area of mathematics. Ron also loved His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for whom he gave his life to and served as a young marriage pastor and associate pastor throughout his adult life.
Ron was an active father who coached little league baseball and football for his son, and attended every dance recital and school play that his two daughters were involved in. Ron was also a wonderful stepfather to his two stepsons with whom he shared a loving bond with, as he was in their lives since they were young boys. Ron was full of life, love, humor, and sometimes he could be a wise guy. No one knew that better than his loving wife of 23 years Kathy. Ron will be greatly missed by all who loved him and knew him.
Ron was predeceased by his parents Benjamin G. Prater and Betty Lee Driscoll Prater of Salina, Kansas, brother-in-law Richard Montgomery and nephew Mike Montgomery of Oklahoma City, OK. Ron is survived by his wife Kathy Prater of Moore, Ok., daughter Amanda N. Blackburn of Fountain Valley, CA., daughter and son-in-law Addie “Lynn” and Matt Cross of Moore, OK., son Andy C. Prater of Oklahoma City, OK., stepsons Daniel L. and Zachary T. Welch of Moore, OK., Sister Deborah Montgomery and nephew Jamie Montgomery of Oklahoma City, OK., his brother and sister-in-law Fred and Sue Prater of Salina, KS. and their two children nephew Fred Prater and niece April Prater of Salina, KS., and many extended family members.
Services to celebrate the life of Ronald L. Prater will be held in his hometown of Salina, Kansas at 2:00 pm February 21, 2020 at Roselawn Memorial Park 1920 E. Crawford St.
Memorials may be made toSoutheastern Guide dogs, in care of Roselawn Mortuary, PO Box 2322, Salina, 67402.