John Clay Prater, Sr. (J.C.), was born on July 8th, 1934, in Athens, AL, to his parents Georgie Crouch Prater and James Bunard Prater. He passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family, Sunday, November 19th, 2023, at the age of 89.
He is survived by his loving wife, Janet S. Prater; his three sons, John Clay Prater, Jr. (the late Brenda Harbin Prater), David Ross Prater (Regina Prater), and William Don Prater (Tank); his grandchildren, John Bernard Prater (JP) April, Alisa Marie Prater, Lucretia Prater Dormont (Taylor), and Taylor Smith; great-grandchildren Camdyn and Presley Prater; Brooklyn and Tiana, and Connor and Owen Dormont. He is also survived by his brother Rueben Prater, and his sister Sylvia Robison.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Georgie and Bunard Prater; and his daughter-in-law, Brenda Harbin Prater.
He had a bonus daughter/nurse, precious care caregiver, and wonderful neighbor he loved dearly, Beth Brazier. We are forever grateful for all you have done for our family.
Visitation will be Tuesday, November 21st, 2023, from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m., at the Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 22nd, 2023, at 11:00 a.m., with Bill Stone and Mike Banks officiating. Pallbearers will be John Prater, Matt Prater, Byron Brazier, Jerry Naylor, Dewayne Scott, and Tony Jerrett. Honorary pallbearers will be Bill Schimpf, Mark Stanford, and Thad Prater.
Mr. Prater retired from General Motors (Saginaw) as a millwright. He was a lifelong farmer, member of the Cattlemen’s Association, a collector of prize-winning Farmall international harvester tractors which he restored with his oldest son, Clay, and with the help of loving wife, Janet Prater, of sixty-eight years. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren fishing in his pond, riding on his tractors alongside him, and all of them visiting him in his house while he was in his recliner. He was happiest taking care of his cattle farm and operating his tractor on the farm. He was a member of Isom’s United Methodist Church.
