Jess "Russ" Russell Prater

Jess Russell “Russ” Prater, age 67, of Freedom, passed away Sunday, August 4, 2019, at University Hospitals and Clinics in Columbia.

Russ was born February 26, 1952, in St. Louis, a son to the late Basil O. and Lillian L. (Kixmueller) Prater.

He was a 1970 graduate of Linn High School and a 1974 graduate of the University of Missouri in Columbia with a degree in Agricultural Economics. 

On December 2, 1978, he was united in marriage to Tamira K. (Meyer) Prater in Pershing.  She survives at the home.

Russ was employed by Vigortone Ag Products as a Sales Manager from 1977 until 1998 and was also a lifelong farmer.  In 2003, he went to work at Scholastic as a Team Leader until he retired in 2018.

He was a member of Zion St. Peter United Church of Christ in Pershing and Pilgrim Lutheran Church in Freedom.

Russ enjoyed reading, gardening and canning, fishing, hunting, cooking, being involved in PALS League Basketball as a coach, and being a Boy Scout Leader. 

In addition to his spouse of 40 years, Russ is survived by: one son, Joshua Prater and his wife Alison of Edmond, Oklahoma; four daughters, Jessica Prater of Freedom, Rebecca Rost and her husband Brian of Pershing, Brandi Prater of Freedom, and Kandiss Hoffman and her husband Zebulon of Linn; four brothers, James Prater and his wife Deb, Jeffrey Prater and his wife Debbie, Brian Prater, and Bradley Prater all of Freedom; six grandchildren, Benjamin Rost, Patrick Rost, Dillon Prater, Logan Prater, Grayson Prater and Lillian Hoffman; along with several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at Morton Chapel in Linn.

Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 9, 2019, at Zion St. Peter United Church of Christ in Pershing with Rev. Barb Zastrow officiating.  Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Fredericksburg Cemetery Association or Fredericksburg Church Restoration.

Arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Missouri (897-2214) www.mortonchapel.com