Raymond Lewis Prather

Born on July 27th, 1936 in LaGrange, KY, Raymond was one of sixteen children and among the first graduating class of Oldham County High School in 1954. After graduating, he served four years in the United States Navy on the USS Princeton before working as an electrician for Morgan Electric and later for L&N Railroad for 30 years before retirement.

Raymond met Treva Woosley Prather at the Canary Cafe on Main Street in LaGrange, KY. Raymond and Treva married in 1959 and went on to have four children, Meresa Prather Fincher (Lew), Bryan Prather, Mike Prather (Karen), and Gaylene Prather.

Raymond played baseball and basketball in High School, but continued his athleticism in playing fast-pitch baseball and softball for Buckner Christian Church alongside his siblings, dubbed “The Prather Boys,” for much of his life. He also loved coaching at the North Oldham Little League and Babe Ruth baseball leagues. His most recent athletic passion, however, was golf, which he often played at the Oldham County Country Club where he shot in his upper 70’s as recently as a few months ago. Aside from spending time on the green, Raymond enjoyed spending time with his beloved wife of sixty-five years, exercising, going on morning walks, volunteering, and playing guitar at family gatherings.

Raymond is preceded in death by his parents: Charles L. and Ethel Prather; brothers: Charles Jr, George, Edwin, and Lee Roy “Pete” Prather; and sisters: Edna Prather, Lottie Mae Ritchie, and Sue Jackson. He is survived by his loving wife: Treva Woosley Prather; seven siblings: Doris Prather Abell, David “Sam” Prather (Donna), Turk Prather (Janet), George Ritchie (Donna), Margaret Potts (Gary), Theresa Lackman (Bob), and Linda Clark (David); four children: Meresa Prather Fincher, Bryan Prather, Mike Prather (Karen), and Gaylene Prather; six grandchildren: Tyler Prather (Mandy), Kennedy Prather Thomas (Zach), Olivia Justice, Lyndsey Reinhart (Luke), Macy Justice, and Clayton Prather; six great-grandchildren: Callie Prather, Hugo, Matilda, Joules Thomas, Indie Thompson, and Malachi Ray Reinhart; and many nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

Service will be held at Heady-Radcliffe Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 11th at 2:00pm, with visitation starting at 11:00am, and gravestone service to follow at Valley of Rest with military honors. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Charlie Prather Scholarship Fund (Gina Wells at 10707 Impatiens St. Prospect, KY, 40059).

Contributions in Raymond's memory may be made to Charlie Prather Scholarship Fund.