UPDATED: Timothy “TJ” Prater
Joe Denoyer - February 8, 2018 12:37 am
Timothy J. “T.J.” Prater, 35, of Burden, Kansas, passed away Tuesday evening, February 6, 2018 at his home.
Born December 3, 1982 in Liberal, Kansas, he was the son of Bill and Katie (Ward) Prater. He was raised and received his education in Liberal, at Fellowship Baptist School, where he graduated in 2001. After high school he attended Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida. In 2003 he returned to Kansas where he attended and graduated from Old Town Barber College in Wichita. He then returned to Liberal and began working at Sam’s Barber Shop.
T.J. was united in marriage to Sheena Fraley on September 3, 2005 at First Baptist Church in Winfield, Kansas. The couple made their first home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 2006 they moved to Burden, Kansas where they made their home. Shortly after moving to Burden T.J. began working at Palace Barber Shop in Winfield. His hard work and reputation transformed the shop into a thriving business, which he purchased in 2010.
He was a member of First Baptist Church in Burden, where he was involved with children’s ministry, as well as serving on the Burden School Board. T.J. was a very active member of the Burden community, volunteering his time in many areas. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an avid San Francisco Giants and Oklahoma University fan. He also enjoyed filming hunting and outdoor projects with his friends. He took special pride and enjoyment in his family, but above all he loved his Lord.
His family includes:
His wife: Sheena Prater of Burden;
His daughters: Malorie Paige, Ellie Grace and Callie Mae Prater, all of Burden;
His parents: Bill and Katie Prater of Liberal;
His brother: Tyler Prater and wife, Jenilee of Liberal;
His sister: Tiffany Tomlinson and husband, Kelby of Liberal;
His mother-in-law: Melissa Fraley of Burden;
His sisters-in-law: Shelly Bailey and husband, Ian of Augusta; Stacie Nelson and husband, John of Winfield;
His brother-in-law: Eric Fraley of Burden;
His grandmother: Sandy Landis of Yukon, OK;
His grandmother-in-law: Eleanor Bair of Burden; and
Numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
T.J. was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Dorothy Prather and Don Ward, his paternal grandparents, Gene and Roma Prater, an aunt, Ginger Prater, and his father-in-law, Rick Fraley.
Funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday, February 10, 2018 at the Burden High School in Burden. Interment will follow at the Burden Cemetery. Friends may call at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield on Friday evening, February 9, 2018 from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors that evening.
Memorials have been established in T.J.’s name for a Scholarship at Central High School in Burden and for his daughters’ education fund. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.