James W. Prather

A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, August 11th, at 11:00 A.M. at Saint Paul United Methodist with Dr. Edwin M. "Buddy" Cooper, Jr. and Reverend John Fugh officiating. Pallbearers will be the grandsons of Mr. Prather. Honorary pallbearers will be the members of The Ambassadors Club. Visitation for friends and family will be held on Tuesday, August 10th, from 5:30 to 7:30 P.M. at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road, Columbus, GA. 31907.

Graveside services with Military Honors will be held Thursday, August 12th, at 3:00 P.M. in the Vanna United Methodist Church cemetery, Vanna, Georgia.

Mr. Prather was born in Vanna, Georgia, the son of the late William J. and Mattie C. Prather. He was a graduate of Royston High School in 1942 and attended the University of Georgia.

A U.S. Army World War II veteran, Mr. Prather served in the Philippines as a Corp of Engineers Lieutenant assigned to General Douglas MacArthur’s headquarters.

He enjoyed a 40 year career with Georgia Power Company, having retired in 1986 as Assistant to the Vice President of the Columbus division.

Mr. Prather was a member of Saint Paul United Methodist Church. He served his community in several capacities. He was a past Board Chairman of the Salvation Army. He also was a member of the Kiwanis Club, American Heart Association, Georgia Power Ambassadors, Columbus Engineering Society, and was a two-term member of the Georgia Silver-Haired legislators. In 1993, Mr. Prather was honored as the recipient of the Phillip J. Batastini Award for Humanitarian Service to the community.

Mr. Prather was preceded in death by two brothers, W. Harold Prather and Carl Prather; two sisters, Inez Prather Dean and Mozelle Prather McGarity; and a beloved son-in-law, William H. Miller.

He is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 66 years, Elizabeth Brown Prather, four children: Dr. James M. (Barbara) Prather of Carrollton, Ga., Ronald B. Prather of Atlanta Ga., Joan Prather Miller of Columbus, Ga., and William C. (Nancy) Prather of Macon, Georgia; Six grandchildren, three step-grandchildren, and five great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mr. Prather’s honor to Saint Paul U.M.C., 2101 Wildwood Avenue, Columbus, Georgia 31906, or to Columbus Hospice House, 7020 Moon Road, Columbus, Georgia 31909 (www.columbushospice.com).