Ralph E. Prather |
| Posted 2009-09-08 by Sharon |
| The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ September 6, 2006, p. A11. Ralph E. Prather, 91, died peacefully in his sleep on Monday afternoon, August 29 in Napa with his wife and daughter at his side. For the last year, Ralph and Lottie have made their home in Napa, Calif., with their daughter and son in law Pat and Albert Gutwein. Ralph was born January 24, 1915 in Decatur, Ill., and was reared in nearby Centralia. After graduating from the Arsenal Technical High School in Indianapolis, he ventured west, settling in Glendale, Calif., where he attended junior college. He began his 40-year career with Lockheed Aircraft and took advantage of their night school programs. Ralph met Lottie Shook, a native of Pierce, Ariz., and the couple was wed on June 12, 1939. Following World War II, the couple relocated to Wickenburg, Ariz. There they built and operated the “Purple Hills Motel” for many years. Ralph and Lottie's family was completed with the birth of their two children, son Jerry and daughter Pat. Ralph really enjoyed playing golf and traveling with Lottie in their motor home. Ralph is survived by his wife of 68 years, Lottie; daughter and son-in-law Pat and Albert Gutwein of Napa, Calif.; son and daughter-in-law Jerry and Cindy Prather of Woodbridge, Va.; sisters Doris and husband Bob Guyon, Jerry and husband Dick Herr, and Wilma McGuire, all of Indianapolis, Ind.; grandchildren Brad Perez, Brent and his wife Amber Perez, Shawn Augustine, Dena and husband Phillip Parham, and Jerry Prather, Jr.; and four great-grandchildren. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Nora Erno Prather and his brother Gene Prather. Memorial services were held Sunday, Sept. 3, 2006 at 3 p.m. in the Yountville Community Church. Private interment will take place in the Wickenburg Municipal Cemetery. Local arrangements under the direction of Wickenburg Funeral Home. See Also: Find A Grave |
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