Oral “J.R.” Prater, Jr., 67, of Bellefontaine, passed away at 6:42 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2020, in the Mary Rutan Hospital E.R.
He was born in Dayton, on June 10, 1952, the son of Oral and Ruby (Brewer) Prater. He was also preceded in death by two brothers: Don and Dallas Prater.
On Sept. 22, 1973, he married the former Margaret “Maggie” Ginn, and she survives in Bellefontaine along with their three children; Kristie (George) Kinney, Oral Eugene Prater, both of Bellefontaine, and Wes Prater of Anna, seven grandchildren: Molli, Kelsey, Paige, Shawn, Aiden, Oliver, and Zoey, five sisters: Louise Bausman, Virginia Young, Carol Prater, Christine Prater, and Darlene Johnson, and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
J.R. worked in several factories in the area and tended bar at the former Circus Bar in Bellefontaine. He enjoyed being around people and loved his family, always doing good for others with no expectation of anything in return. He had special bonds with all his grandchildren including Oliver, to which they were TV buddies. J.R. also loved to ride motorcycles.
Pastor Michael Mitchell will officiate a funeral service at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 2, in the Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 321 N. Main St., Bellefontaine. Visitation is two hours prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Bellefontaine Cemetery. The family asks that you be symptom-free and to please wear a mask if attending.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Prater family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.