Calvin Prater

Calvin Dale Prater was born on December 23, 1948, the first-born child of Treber and Lorene Prater. A calm child, and one without siblings for several years, he spent lots of time with his best friend and cousin, Frances. When he was ten years old, he contracted rheumatic fever and was bedridden for nearly a year; Frances came to read to him and keep him company. After his brothers Barry and Jerry came along, he was still the apple of his parents' eyes, with his soft-spoken manner and quiet demeanor.
After graduating from Oak Grove High School, mutual friends encouraged him to ask Janis Spears out on a date in the summer of 1968. His future mother-in-law would leave a homemade coconut pie (his favorite) on the stove when he brought her daughter home; this was the beginning of a love that lasted throughout his life. They married in April, 1969, and the following year had a daughter, Shannon- a Daddy's girl through and through; his son, Todd, came along three years later, and he had no greater pride.
Calvin spent his career as a tool and die maker, first for Teletype, which became AT&T, then Lucent Technologies. He retired from his "day job" in 2001, and set out to build a mini-storage facility in the Oak Grove community that he called home. C&J Storage is still owned by his family, a legacy to his role as provider. He also started a supply company in 2004 with his best friend, David Lackey, and P&L Supply serves the business community including, among others, the VA hospitals. He considered David a brother, and they spent many hours together over his semi-retirement years. They met most every morning, Tuesday through Saturday, at the local café for breakfast.
He was a proud member of Windsong Church of Christ, and drove his corvette to church every Sunday. He passed away on March first, 2015, surrounded by people that loved him. He may be gone from this earth, but his memory lives on in the hearts of his family and so many people he considered extended family. His love lives on through his wife, children and grandchildren, and he will be sorely missed.
He is survived by his wife, Janis; daughter, Shannon (Kevin) and son, Todd (Alicia); grandchildren Allie, Whitney, Mason and Maddie; mother Lorene, brothers Barry (Joyce) and Jerry (Donna); along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 4th, at Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main St., NLR, AR 72114). Family visitation reception is from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Burial will be in Riverwood Memorial Park. Please visit www.smithfamilycares.com to sign the online guest register.