Donald Gary Prater, age 74, and a longtime resident of Warsaw, passed into eternal rest on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020, at 3:20 p.m. at his home.
The son of Virgle Preston Prater and Pearlie Adams Prater, he was born on Sept. 21, 1945, in Brainard, Ky. He was one of 10 children born to the pair and spent his formative years in Kentucky, moving to the Warsaw area in 1960.
A mechanic by trade, Don, as many knew him, was truly a Jack of all trades. He worked in automotive maintenance for many years, in salvage for Mike Gill and Clyde Gregory, was a licensed auctioneer and was the groundskeeper at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds for many years. He raced stock cars at the Warsaw Speedway for many years and helped to run the track for several years. He was a fan of NASCAR, especially Dale Earnhardt, and of 1950s Chevys.
In his down time, Don liked to watch Westerns, particularly those with Roy Rogers. He was an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan and enjoyed watching wrestling. A regular member of God’s Highway to Heaven Church, Don was a loving, friendly man. He was also good at telling tales and could sell anything to nearly anyone.
On June 11, 1965, Donald Gary Prater was united in marriage to Judy Burk. Together they have shared nearly 55 years. Judy (Burk) Prater survives at home. Also surviving are their three children: daughter, Pam (Joe D. ) Crace, of Warsaw; son: Kelly (Jennifer) Prater, of Claypool; and daughter, Tammy (Carl) Kendrick, of Claypool; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and eight siblings: Juanita Shepherd, Cliff Prater, Geneva Prater, Mary Prater, Barb (Darrell) Prater, Arnold (Amy) Prater, Ron Prater and Phyllis (Greg) Varney.
In addition to his parents, those who received Don into heaven include his son, Donald Lee Prater; brother, Wilford Prater; brother-in-law, Nate Shepherd; and sisters-in-law, Jan Prater and Carol Prater.
A Life Celebration will be held at Warsaw’s Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., where viewing will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26. A funeral which celebrates Don’s life will be held in the funeral home on Thursday at 11 a.m., with Pastors Bob Brown and Mike Kelley officiating. Burial will follow in?Oakwood Cemetery.
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Memorials to K21 Cancer Fund, P.O. Box 1810, Warsaw, IN 46581.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.TitusFuneralHome.com.
