The Lord welcomed home one of his most faithful servants Ralph Prater on May 27, 2026 while he was surrounded by family in his home. Ralph was born in McMinnville, Tennessee on June 10, 1953 to his parents Charles and Alice Prater. Ralph’s family relocated to Stuarts Draft, Virginia where he was a proud graduate of Riverheads High School, met the love of his life of 53 years Debbie, and raised their three children Megan, Jonathan, and Chuckie. Service was at the heart of who he was- whether he was caring for his community through his work, or sharing his gifts with his church family. Ralph and Deb have been active members at White Hill Church for over 50 years. Ralph fervently ministered to his church family through many youth retreats, Wednesday night dinners, and always being the man who knew how to fix anything with duct tape, a power drill and a loosely drawn plan. He maintained several professions throughout his life, but was especially proud of his time at Augusta Health Nursing and Rehab, and Western State Hospital where he ultimately retired as a Compliance and Safety Officer. To many, he was known as the man who could fix any problem or build any furniture you could possibly think of. If you gave him a few treasures from a yard sale and his paint supplies, he could make any dream come true. His expertise for being able to fix any problem especially was true when it came to his children and grandchildren. Whether their car wouldn’t start, their hot water heater stopped working, they needed a listening ear, or their favorite toy was broken, pure magic happened in Paw Paw’s garage. If you ever needed to find Ralph, he was in his garage creating something beautiful for someone he loved while singing to the radio.

Ralph was an avid hunter and fisherman and he fostered a love of the outdoors in his children and grandchildren. He taught them the importance of caring for and appreciating God’s beauty. Ralph and Deb created lifelong memories for their family through numerous camping expeditions to Highland County and Shenandoah Acres. When his earthly body began to slow down, he found that he could still be as young and as quick as his spirit felt behind the wheel of his bass boat. He took great pride in taking his children and grandchildren fishing and was even able to convince Deb to go out on the water a time or two.

Ralph is preceded in death by his parents Charles and Alice Prater, his in-laws William and Gladys Foley, his precious baby boy Nicholas Prater, his brother-in-law Dickie Coyner, and his sister-in-law Bonnie Prater. He is survived by his wife Deborah Prater, his children Megan (Curtis) Beyeler, Jonathan (Jessica) Prater, and Chuckie (Rachel) Prater, Paw-Paws crew Elijah Prater, Aiden Prater, Eva Beyeler, Ethan Prater, Haylee Prater, Olivia Prater, and Sawyer Prater, brother Ernie Prater, sister-in-law Janet Coyner, and brother-in-law Phillip Foley. Ralph also leaves behind several special nieces and nephews who selflessly served him and his family in their final moments together.

While his earthly body is no longer here, the family is resting in the image of Ralph now getting to teach his first-born Nicholas how to fish on Heaven’s biggest lake.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory and other times at the residence.

A Celebration of Life will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 31, 2026 at White Hill Church by Pastor David Chappell and his son, Pastor Jonathan Prater.

Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Rusty Riley, George Kennedy, Richard Coyner, Scott Harris, Gary Harding, Jeff Moher, Aron Thompson and Glen Craig.

It is suggested those desiring make memorial contributions to UVA Health Emily Couric Clinical Cancer Center, 1240 Lee Street, Charlottesville, VA 22908.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive in Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.