Lowell Prater

Obituary of Lowell Prater "Well done, thou good and faithful servant." Matthew 25:21 God's good and faithful servant, Lowell Prater, has fulfilled his considerable duties, and he took his customary daily morning devotions this morning with God Himself. Lowell Prater's life has been nearly a century defined by service: service to his parents, service to his country, service to his family, service to his church, service to the education of young people, service to the rehabilitation of those in the criminal justice system, and most of all, service to God and His Word. From his years as a dutiful son and brother in Fayette County, WV, he entered West Virginia University, where he diligently prepared for a life of service in education. Before he could finish, however, he was called to serve his country in its need, spending his tour of duty in the Navy during the Second World War. He was stationed in Cuba, training pilots to land on aircraft carriers before they shipped out to the Pacific. After the war, he returned to finish his education at W. Va. Tech, where he lost his heart to a beautiful redhead, promising her his love and eternal devotion. After their marriage in June of 1950, Lowell and Betty Lou answered God's call to the Washington, D.C. area, where they began together a life devoted to the service of bringing up their four children-- Paula, Diane, Stephen and Nona, according to God's command. Lowell served first as a teacher, then counselor, then administrator in the D.C. Public School system, sometimes in the toughest schools in the District. During this time, they established their lifelong habits of dedication to serving in their church and spreading the gospel. They never failed to fulfill their duty to tithe and support missionaries in the field. The Lord always provided. As a father, Lowell's service to his children was unfailing, inexhaustible and steeped in biblical principle--the love of a father for his children modeled after the ultimate example of God the Father for His children. As a student and child of God, Lowell ultimately completed a doctorate in Biblical Ministry but remained a lifelong student of God's Word, memorizing, reading, studying, reciting and sharing. As a teacher, he never stopped teaching God's word--to his students, to his children and ultimately to all he met. He taught by both gentle explanation and example. As a grandfather, he has served as a loving role model and quintessential "Grandaddy" to 16 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren, whose lives have been enriched immeasurably by his love, prayers, lessons, advice and the spoiling only a granddad can do. Lowell retired several times, only to begin a new life of service according to the continuing call of God. Each time, being unable to resign himself to the world's idea of retirement and rest, Lowell moved with Betty Lou from D.C. to Charleston, WV; Middletown, OH; Ft. Lauderdale, FL; and ultimately to his beloved Howey-in-the-Hills. He never did "retire." At the age of 90, he was still conducting 3 church services and 3 Bible studies each week at the Lake County Correctional Institute, serving as Chairman of the Board of Deacons, working in the church visitation program, and guiding the building of the new church building for Berean Baptist. Always the competitive yet gentlemanly sportsman, he and Betty Lou played tennis several times a week, as well as hiking, wilderness camping and river rafting throughout their lives. His life has been rich - rich with happiness and love and the satisfaction of the true servant who has performed the service that has been the guiding principle for all of his life. We thank our gracious, loving and merciful God for giving Lowell the strength and purpose to accomplish so much, and touch so many lives over his 90 years. Lowell has now been welcomed into his eternal home, where the angels celebrate his new life, where faith has become sight and God Himself greets him at his daily morning devotions. In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Lowell's name to your local prison fellowship c/o Prison Fellowship, PO Box 1550, Merrifield, VA 22116, or donate at prisonfellowship.org, or by calling 1-800-206-9764. Visitation Tuesday, January 15, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM at Berean Baptist Church, Okahumpka. Services Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at 10:00 AM at Berean Baptist Church, Okahumpka. Interment Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, FL Memorial Donations In lieu of flowers, please send a donation in Lowell's name to Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, Jurisdication #24-Lake County, Chaplain Jim Cornell, 551 W. Main St., Tavares, FL 32778.

Lowell Prater

January 11, 2013