Bro. Ronald J. Prater

Bro. Ronald J. Prater, 75, of Owensboro made his journey to Heaven on Tuesday, November 29, 2011 at the Owensboro Medical Health System. Born in Balkan, KY, he was the son of the late Rev. Joseph C. and Gladys Peace Prater. Bro. Prater was ordained in 1958 and oversaw the construction of the current Ridgewood Baptist church and has served as the church's only pastor for the past 53 years. He also was plant superintendent of CANTEX (1955 to 1975) and retired from Owensboro Grain Company after 29 years where he was Corporate Secretary and member of the Board of Directors. Bro. Prater graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan; was honored as Kentucky's first recipient of the annual Bi-vocational Pastor of the Year Award; and was a member of the Daviess-McLean Baptist Association where he served on various committees. He enjoyed golf, was an avid KWC and UK basketball fan, and loved gospel singing. His greatest joy however, was serving his church and his family. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Sarah Thomson Prater in 1983; a son, Terry Wayne Prater in 1993; a sister, Helen Joann Prater in 1961; and his fiance's son, Randy Barton.

Surviving are children, Ronald J. Prater, Jr. and Cindy (Bob) Satterfield both of Owensboro; grandchildren, Amy ( his "second daughter") Hardin (Chad), Amber Satterfield, Matthew Prater, Adam Satterfield, and Cpl, USMC, Aaron (Abbie) Prater; great-grandchildren, Jaxon Hardin and Sarah Hardin; his fiance', Aretta West and her son, Charles (Cheri) West of Owensboro and grandchildren, Brad Barton, Christian West, and Braden West; brothers, James L. Prater and his wife Wanda of Shelbyville, KY and Dr. Bryan N. Prater and his wife Sue of Maysville; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, December 3, 2011 at Ridgewood Baptist Church with Rev. Franklin Skaggs and Rev. Jerry Carter officiating followed by burial following in Owensboro Memorial Gardens with members of the Daviess-McLean Baptist Association serving as honorary pallbearers. Visitation will be from 2:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory and after 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to Ridgewood Baptist Church Memorial Fund, 800 Carter Road, Owensboro, KY 42301 or Sunrise Children's Services, 2720 Frederica St., Owensboro, KY 42301.

Online condolences may be left at www.glennfuneralhome.com.