John Prather Jr.

John William Prather, Jr., 98, of Hendersonville, NC, died Thursday, April 16, 2015, at Carolina Village Medical Center. Born December 6, 1916, in Spartanburg, SC, he was the son of the late John William Prather, Sr. and Essie Nanney Prather. He was the husband of Ruth Montine Whitmire Prather who preceded him in death on August 5, 2002. Mr. Prather was a registered Professional Engineer in South Carolina-1954, and in Georgia. He was employed with Duke Power Company, General Office Engineering, Charlotte, NC 1936-1938, Lockwood Green Engineers, Spartanburg, SC, last assigned as Head of Military Contract Department 1938-1958, a partner with Prather & Thomas, A&E, Spartanburg, SC 1958-1966, Prather, Thomas, Campbell Assoc., A&E, secretary and treasurer 1966-1972, and Prather, Thomas, Campbell, Pridgeon, Inc., A&E, secretary and treasurer 1972 until retiring in 1981. Civic club memberships and roles include: Spartanburg Jaycees charter member and second president 1947-1948, honored as Young Man of the Year in 1949 and again in 1951, and past vice president of the Sertoma Club of Spartanburg. He also served two terms, 1964 and 1970, as chairman of the Spartanburg Planning Commission. A member of the Country Club of Spartanburg, he served two terms on the Board of Directors as president 1971-1972 and was made an honorary member in 1982. He was also involved with the following professional societies: National Society of Professional Engineers, South Carolina Society of Engineers - Spartanburg, SC Chapter, American Concrete Institute - Carolinas Chapter, president 1978, and American Society Testing and Materials. Mr. Prather was very active in genealogical societies and authored two volumes of Prater/Prather family history and genealogy, Volume I, 1480-1670, Wiltshire, England - Volume II, 1620-1800 in America. He held memberships in the following genealogical societies: Pinckney District Chapter South Carolina Genealogical Society, charter member and first president, Daniel Morgan Chapter of Sons of American Revolution, Old Tryon District Society North Carolina, Wiltshire Family History Society, Wiltshire, England, Magna Charta Barons, and Carolina Village Residents Association, Hendersonville, NC as past president of the Residents Council. John was also a member of Central United Methodist Church in Spartanburg, SC, 1944-1982, and was past chairman of the Administrative Board. He was a current member of First United Methodist Church of Hendersonville, NC. Surviving are his son, John William Prather, III of League City, TX; grandchildren, Robert Whitmire Prather and Ashley Louise Prather, both of League City, TX; eight nieces; and four nephews. A graveside service will be conducted at 1:30 PM Tuesday, April 21, 2015, in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, 1300 Fernwood-Glendale Rd., Spartanburg, SC 29307, conducted by the Rev. David B. Smith. Visitation will follow at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Carolina Village Endowment Fund, Assistance In Living, 600 Carolina Village Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John William Prather Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store.