Derral Ray Prater

Derral Ray Prater, age 73 of Tecumseh died Saturday, June 28, 2014 at home surrounded by his loving family. He was born October 17, 1940 in Bonanza, Ky., to Sherman and Mollie (Sparks) Prater. On May 27, 1972 he married Judy Kotlarczyk at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Milan. Derral was a graduate of Prestonsburg High School in Prestonsburg, Ky., and Mayo State Vocational School in Paintsville, Ky. He retired from Ford Motor Company in Saline after 31 years on December 31, 1998. Derral proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He was a member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church and the Knights of Columbus Council No. 9937. He was involved in Clinton Little League, was a member of the Clinton Community School Board for eight years and the American Red Cross. He was on the City of Tecumseh Planning Commission and the Board of Review. He enjoyed watching his favorite team the Kentucky Wildcats Basketball team. Derral’s greatest joy was spending time with his children and grandchildren. Derral was a generous man giving a helping hand to anyone in need with his Knights of Columbus family.Derral is survived by his wife, Judy; a daughter Kara (Kevin) Legel of Shanghai, China and their children Chloe, Zeke and Whitney; one son, Kevin (Megan) Prater of Waterford and their children Bradon and Alexandra; a sister Mary K Music of Frankfort, Ky.; two brothers, Wesley (Barbara) Prater of Saline and Scott (Margarette) Prater of Berea, Ky.; a sister-in-law, Bonita Prater of Ann Arbor; father and mother-in-law, Felix and Marie Kotlarczyk of Tecumseh and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister, Eukie Merritt and brothers, Robert, Sherman and Harry Prater.The Funeral liturgy for Derral was held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 1, 2014 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, Tecumseh with Rev. Daniel Wheeler as celebrant. Burial was in Brookside Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Tecumseh American Legion Underwood-Orr Post No. 34, and Tecumseh V.F.W. Hall Slater Post No. 4187. Visitation was held Monday from 2-8 p.m. at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh where a Vigil Prayer Service was held at 7:30 p.m. Monday evening. Visitation was also held on Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. at St. Elizabeth’s Church. A family prayer service was held at 10:45 a.m. followed by the funeral liturgy at 11 a.m. St. Elizabeth Catholic Church. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.andersonfuneralservices.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice. Envelopes are available at the Anderson Funeral Home, Tecumseh.