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tree
planted in memory of Homer Marshall Prater
Obituary for Homer Marshall Prater
Homer Marshall Prater, 96 years old, of Barnwell, SC passed away on October 8, 2024. He graduated high school at age 17 and enlisted in the US Navy in 1945 during WWII and served in the Pacific Theater. Homer served on the destroyer USS Wilson during Operation Crossroads atomic bomb tests in the Bikini Atoll in mid-1946. He was one of the 37,000 Navy sailors who participated in the nuclear test and then re-boarded the ships for decontamination clean-up. He also served as an electrical engineer/technician on the USS Salisbury Sound, a seaplane tender stationed in Sitka, Alaska to support plane squadrons. He was called back into service during the Korean War and served at the Philadelphia Navy yard.
After his military service, Homer was employed by the Savannah River Plant in Aiken SC as an electrician and in various management positions for over 35 years. For hobbies, Homer loved to fix things from cars, tractors, engines to electronics. He also loved to plow with his tractor, cut firewood, garden, fish and built his family home. But most of all, he loved being with his family.
Homer was originally from the Westminster SC area and was predeceased by his parents, Lucas and Rosa Prater and twelve brothers and sisters. He was married to Geneva Beck Prater for 50 years before her death in 2002. When Geneva became sick with Alzheimer’s, he retired from SRP to be her caregiver for over 13 years so he could keep her at home. He is survived by three children, Philip Prater (Caroline) of Williston, SC, Renee Stephens (Todd) of Irmo, SC and Louise Bates of N. Augusta, SC. He has two grandchildren, William (Maddy) Prater of Williston, SC and Eleanor Prater (fiancé Kaden Jacobs) of Augusta, Ga.
The family would like to thank the Remain At Home Team and all the caregivers that took special care of and loved our Dad.
A visitation will be held on Monday, October 14th, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Mole Funeral Home. Funeral Services will follow at 2:00 PM in the Mole Funeral Home Chapel, with Dr. T. Bart Kelley officiating. Graveside services will be held in the Barnwell County Memorial Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that remembrance donations may be made to National Alzheimer’s Association 225 N. Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601, Golden Harvest Food Bank or a charity of their choice.
To plant a tree in memory of Homer Marshall Prater, visit the Tribute Store.
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