George (Big Daddy) Prater, Jr.

Published 2:19 pm Thursday, December 14, 2017

George (Big Daddy) Prater Jr., was born on May 27, 1926 to Ethel and George Prater Sr. of Simmesport, Louisiana. God called him home peacefully on Tuesday, December 5, 2017. He moved to Port Arthur at the age of 12 and became a lifelong resident.

George was a 1944 graduate of Lincoln High School. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served in the Korean War. After being honorably discharged, he came back to Port Arthur and became one of the first African-American postal workers. George delivered mail for over 42 years. He was a Mason & Past Worshipful Master with the Doric Lodge #95 of Port Arthur, Texas. George was a faithful and lifelong member of Rock Island Baptist Church. There he served as a trustee and a dedicated member of the Male Chorus until his health declined. During his health issues, he continued to stand firm on his faith in God.

George is preceded in death by his parents and an aunt and uncle. His memory will live on through his wife Audrey Prater; seven children, George (Varetta) Prater III of Port Arthur, Texas; Mark Prater Sr. of Houston, Texas; Eric (Trena) Arceneaux of Orange, Texas; Ronnie (Geneva) Arceneaux of Houston, Texas; three daughters, Jan (Erika) Arceneaux of Port Arthur, Texas; Lynette Prater, Lisa Prater both of Houston, Texas; a host of grandkids, great grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

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Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, December 16, 2017 at Rock Island Baptist Church with visitation from noon until service time. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Gabriel Funeral Home.