Dr. E. "Skeeter" Charlton Prather

Dr. E. Charlton "Skeeter" Prather peacefully passed away in his sleep on Sunday, August 21, 2022. He was born on March 13,1930 and grew up in Jasper, Florida. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Walter Prather and Mrs. Myrtle White and his brother Walter G. Prather.

Dr. Prather married Annie Louise Leigh, they were happily married for 68 years and have 2 sons, E. Charlton "Chuck" Prather and Walter Franklin "Skeeter" Prather (margaret) and grandson, Charlton McGavock Prather.

Dr. Prather was very active in the Tallahassee community and twice received Leon County's volunteer of the year award for his work at Mission San Luis and again for his help with the American Red Cross. He was also recognized by the Tallahassee/ Leon County Historic Preservation Board with their "Award for Excellence." He was an ordained Elder in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and an Eagle Scout.

The State Department of Health building was named the E. Charlton Prather building in his honor.

Dr. Prather was invited to Barbados to renovate the blacksmith's shop and teach an apprentice blacksmithing.

Services will be held graveside on Thursday, August 25, 2022 at 11:00am at Culley's MeadowWood Memorial Park, 700 Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, Fl.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Tallahassee Orthodox Presbyterian Church, Mission San Luis, and the American Red Cross.

Dr. Prather's accomplishments include:

- M.D. from Wake Forest School of Medicine 1959

- Clinical internship, Infectious Diseases, Miami, Fl

- Residency training in Preventative Medicine/ Public Health 1964

- Master's Degrees in Epidemiology and bio-statistics University of N.C. 1964

- Master's Degree in Microbiology, University of Florida 1952

- Appointed State Epidemiologist in 1964

- Promoted to Bureau Chief of Preventable Diseases 1970

- Appointed Director of the State Department of Health 1974-1979

- Transferred to District of H.R.S. and served as Health Program Supervisor 1979 - 1984

- Became Acting Director of Health Program Office

- 1986 Retired after 35 ½ years in public health

Florida Public Health Honors:

- Advisory Committee on Indian Health to U.S. Department of Interior

- Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice to U.S. Public Health Service

- Served as President of the National Association of Epidemiologist

- Served as President of Florida Society of Preventative Medicine

- Vice chair of Florida Medical Association's council of Specialty Medicine

- Served on Board of the State Tuberculosis Association and the Diabetes Association

- Continuing editor to Florida's Medical Journal

- Meritorious Service Award by Florida's Medical Association

- Certificate of Merit by Florida's Medical Association (highest and most distinguished Service award)

- Samuel P. Bell award by the College of Public Health

- H.R.S.'s Distinguished Service Award

- Author of over 70 scientific publications

- Served on State Medical Examiners Commission, Governor's Highway Safety Board, member Florida

Department of Agriculture, Dairy Commission, member Florida Department of Revenue