PRATHER, Richard G. (1926-1946)

PRATHER

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/21/2020 at 10:39:06

Richard G. Prather
(February 12, 1926 – March 22, 1946)

Funeral services were held from the Osceola Methodist Church Friday afternoon, March 29, for Ensign Richard G. Prather, 20, who lost his life a week before when he crashed in a naval plane while on a training flight. The Rev. Frank Jacobs of Greenfield and the Rev. Loyd Latta, local pastor, officiated at the church services, while those at the grave were in charge of the American Legion. Interment was in Maple Hill Cemetery. Richard was born Feb. 12, 1926, in Des Moines and died March 22, 1946. He came to Osceola at the age of 10. He joined the Methodist Church at the age of 11 and had been an active member in all young peoples’ work, also the church choir. Richard was a Boy Scout and attended three camps at Camp Wapello. He was a leader in school activities, a member of the school band and city band, playing a tuba given him by an Osceola honored musician, Bill Beard. He sang in the mixed chorus and the boys’ quartet. He played football four years in high school, graduating in 1943 at the age of 17 and was honored by the American Legion with a trophy given to the most outstanding boy in each year’s graduating class. He enlisted in April, 1943, as a cadet in the naval air corps. He was in Jacksonville, Fla., for training, and expected to fly the Pacific, having one more year to serve. While on a training flight he was involved in an air craft accident which proved fatal. He leaves his mother; stepfather; two brothers; two grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt Gates of Norwalk; many relatives, and friends. [Copied from a scrapbook at the Warren County Historical Society Library, Indianola, Iowa]