Gerald Edward

Prather

Gerald Edward Prather, 90, of Sweetwater, passed away Tuesday, March 14, 2023 at Lakeridge Nursing Home in Lubbock, TX. Services will be 2 P.M. Friday , March 24, 2023 at McCoy Chapel of Memories with Rev. Jerry Hendrix officiating . M ilitary graveside rites will be performed by the United States Arm y Honor Guard at the Sweetwater Cemetery. A fami ly visitation will be Thursday , March 23, from 6 P.M. to 8 P.M. at McCoy Funeral Home. Gerald was born July 25, 1932 in Tatum, Texas to Sampy and Eva (Pepper) Prathe r. Gerald married Mary Ruth Brown November 23, 1954 in San Angelo, TX. The y moved to Sweetwater , TX in 1958 where he resided until 2008 (moving to Lubbock). Mary Ruth preceded him in death December 23, 2011 . Gerald spent his working life in the retail groc ery business mainly in Sweetwater. He was a member of First Baptist Church , Sweetwater Down Town Lions Club, coached youth baseball, and loved to watch the Texas Rangers , the Dallas Cowboys , and Family Feud . He was a veteran of t he Korean War (1953 to 1955 ) serving in the U.S. Army. He is survived by a daughter, Sheila Adams and husband Derrek of San Angelo, TX, three sons, Jackie Prather and wife Resa of Lubbock, TX, Ricky Prather a nd wife Glenda of Orcutt, CA, and Eric Prather of Portland , Oregon , a siste r, Mary Sue Ritter of Fairfie l d, CA, brother-in-law, Bill Stuard, sister-in-iaw, Wilda Deel, ei ght grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was pre ceded in dea th by his wife, his parents, and two sisters, Eva Myrtle Narvid and Betty Ann Stuar d. Pal lbe arers will be Ryne Prather, Reid Prather, Ethan Adams, Joshua Prather, Josh Alvidrez, Caleb Ontiveros, Andy Wood ward, Fernando Aguirre, Jessica Alvidrez, Jennifer Ontiveros, Robyn Woodward, Erinn Adams , Whitney Prather and Paige Bueno .