Russell Prater

Russell Alan Prater, age 49, departed this life and entered heaven on December 10, 2021. He was born September 7, 1972 in Colgate, Oklahoma, to his mother and father, Delores and Leamon Prater.

He was preceded in death by his father, Leamon O Prater, his paternal grandparents, Lum and Halla Mae (French) Prater, maternal grandparents, Roy Leonard Hixon and Alverda (Cheatham) Hixon, uncles, Kenneth and Glenn Hixon, aunts, Genevieve Trimmier, sister-in-law, Diana Jean Prater, brother, Steven Lee Gibson, and brother-in-law Ronald Lynn Wright.

After graduating high school, he served in the United States Army for two years. During this time, he was blessed with his daughter Roxanne (Prater) Hall. After living in Atoka, Oklahoma for a brief time, he made his home in Bismarck, Arkansas. He spent many years working on ranches where he found his ranch home, Duncan farms. In 2014, he married his long-time friend, Melanie (Thornton) Prater. This grew his family from one daughter to two daughters and two sons immediately! His most recent job was working for the Arkansas Department of Corrections, Ouachita River Unit. He loved working with his fellow officers and helping to mentor others.

Russell was a hard worker and would do anything for anyone. Most importantly, he loved the Lord. Over the last 5 years, he spent dedicated time giving back through the Father’s House where he served many people and learned a lot himself. He and his wife attended the Ark of Praise church in Hot Springs. Their church family was just that to him, family.

Russell leaves to cherish his memory his wife Melanie Prater, mother Delores Prater, parents-in-law Leon and Jean Thornton, daughter RoxAnne Hall and husband Chase, daughter Lacey Hall and husband John, son Austin Diggins and Sasha Zavala, brother Roger Prater and wife Linda, brother Roy Prater, brother Michael McCreary and wife Stephanie, sister Debra Judd and husband Randy, sister Hallie Puncochar and husband Walter, sister Rebecca Krawczyk and husband Robert, and special sister Terri Wilson. His pride and joys, his grandchildren, Tucker Hall and Ashley Brown, Nevaeh Hall, Autumn Hall, Mia Hall, Daisy Hall, Allie Hall, Shepherd Hall, and great-granddaughter Emerson Hall. Russell is also still loved by many nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, aunts, and so many great friends.

There may never be a prouder Dad or Pawpaw, and there will not be a family member or friend left unchanged by his fierce love. He will be greatly missed.

The funeral service will be Thursday, December 16, at 2:00 pm at Hickory Grove Church in Bismarck, AR.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial gift/donation to The Father’s House, PO Box 129, Bismarck, AR 71929.