Raleigh James “Jim” Prater passed away on February 23, 2022 from years of being stubborn, refusing doctors orders and living life on his own terms for 74 years. He enjoyed working on cars, fixing the un-fixable, a nice pack of Dorals, and good ol’ meal.
He was born in July 1947 to Edgar and Maxine Prater. Jim left home at the very young age of 17 to join the United States Marine Corp with a dream to serve his country. His dream was cut short when an injury left him in traction for months and with life long limp. But once a Marine, always a Marine “Semper Fi”.
Jim spent his life helping others. You would often find him in a pocket t-shirt so his smokes were always near by, sporting some grease stained blue jeans and tattered old shoes with his whole body stuck up under the hood of an old car. It was common place to see Jim with grease on his face, under his nails, and busted up knuckles from trying to fit those big ole hands into those knooks and crannies of motor. But there is nothing he enjoyed more than fixing a car for a loved one, friend or neighbor.
Jim met the love of his life Linda “Lin” Shaw in 1968. It was a hard, fast, crazy kind of love that had them married and starting a family in the same year. It wasn’t long until they went from a table for 2 to a table for 6. They had four daughters that they cherished and quickly nicknamed Tambo, Rhon, Cor and Moe. It’s suspected they are the reason for Jim’s early hair loss. Jim loved being a girl dad, but he made sure his daughters knew their way around a car, how to drive a nail, and that getting your hands dirty always makes for a good days work.
Jim is survived by his four daughters, two sons-in-law, 15 grandkids, 11 great grandkids, three brothers, and two sisters. To say he was loved immensely is an understatement. He was a father to some, but a hero to all. His greatest achievement was his family. He would spend hours telling all who would listen about his awesome wife & his pride for his four girls.
Jim was preceded in death by his great love of 44 years – Linda, his mother – Maxine, his father – Edgar, and his sister – Barbara Jean Anderson.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 2, 2022, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Genda Funeral Home ~ Mulberry Chapel. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 3, 2022, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor William Prater officiating. Burial will be in Fair Haven Cemetery with military honors. Memorials in Jim’s honor may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. Online condolences may be left at www.gendafuneralhome.com.