Floyd Henry Prather, Sr.

Floyd Henry Prather, Sr., a life long resident of Jennings was born August 13, 1922 in Albert, Oklahoma to John Henry and Myrtle Alice (Martin) Prather. At a young age Floyd moved to the Jennings Area with his family. Mr. Prather later began attending school in Jennings. After the infamous bombing of Pearl Harbor, Floyd joined the United States Coast Guard from 1942 till 1946. He served his country in the South Pacific as well as Gulfport, Mississippi. After the completion of World War II, Mr. Prather was stationed in New Orleans, Louisiana discharging soldiers.

In 1946, Floyd returned to Jennings, Oklahoma where he accepted employment in the oil field as a roughneck. On December 20, 1943, Floyd was united in marriage to Nellie Mae Baker at Oilton, Oklahoma. While working in the oil field Floyd and Nellie lived in Colorado, Kansas and Texas. In the late 1950ís they returned to Jennings, Oklahoma and purchased the Jennings Grocery in 1961. With help from their family; Floyd and Nellie have continued to operate the grocery store for many years.

Mr. Prather enjoyed fishing as well as spending countless hours on the Illinois River camping out. Floyd was also a bee keeper; he would hunt out wild bees with his children, capture them and return them to his hives near his home. Floyd was an active 32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, Oklahoma Eastern Star and VFW Member.

Floyd passed away December 8, 2006, at his home near Jennings, Oklahoma at the age of 84 years 3 months and 25 days. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Maxie Lloyd Prather, Douglas Prather, one sister Carmaleta Shannon, two grandchildren Tori Smith and Jon David Wagner.

Survived by his loving wife of nearly 63 years, Nellie of the home; two sons, Floyd Jr. and wife Sheran Prather of Dallas, Texas; Kelly and his wife Marcy Prather of Coweta, Oklahoma; one daughter, Sandra and husband Terry Thompson of Jennings, Oklahoma; one brother, Kenneth Prather of Twin Oaks, Oklahoma; two sisters Peggy Pulliam of Ogallala, Nebraska; Rosezetta Adams of Sidney, Nebraska; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren as well as a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be held 10:00 am Monday, December 11, 2006 at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Larry Schiller officiating. Burial will be at the Jennings Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc.

Pallbearers will be Mark Prather, Ty Prather, Ryan Armstrong, Gary Armstrong, Richard Armstrong, David Jones, and Jon Lucas.