Gary Duwayne Prater, 60, of Union City, passed away Tuesday, November 2, 2021.
Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held in the spring of 2022.
The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation in Union City.
Gary was born November 4, 1960 in Jackson, Michigan to John Jerald and Geraldine Blanche Lawanda (Hinkle) Prater. He graduated from Michigan Center High School and lived in Jackson for many years until moving to Union City two decades ago. Gary worked for 20 ¾ years as a road driver for Fed-Ex Freight.
On January 15, 2010, he married the former Jill Marie Conine in Battle Creek, Michigan. She survives.
Gary was a man of many hobbies outside of working 70 hours a week to provide for his family. On the weekends he liked to run errands and get things done around the house. He always kept his house clean and made sure it was always intact. He enjoyed sitting outside in his blind hunting in the fall and sitting by a fishing hole in the spring and in the winter. He also enjoyed riding his motorcycles and going out on the speed boat in the summertime.
He was a man who cared about others first and always put himself last. He absolutely loved woodworking and building wooden chests, not sold, but given to see the smile on the recipients face. His most favorite activity of all was when all the children and grandchildren would come down to the house to hangout and have a nice meal together. The number one rule of all time was to always smile and be happy with the time you share together.
In addition to his wife, Jill, Gary is survived by his children, Gary D. Prater II of Jackson, Nicole Ann Prater of Michigan, Jeffrey Norman Wyman of Adrian, Tyler James (Lindsey) Wyman of Augusta and Aleisha Marie Prater of Union City; grandchildren, Gary D. Prater III, Brooklynn Nichole Prater, Robert Vincent “Robbie” Hodge, Zoie Ann Hodge, Kayden Michael Hodge, Jeffrey Leroy-Walter Wyman, Maddox Stanley Wyman, Gunner Russell Wyman, Tucker James Wyman and Beckett Tyler Wyman; siblings, David (Rebecca) Prater of North Carolina, Debbie and Tom of Florida and Michael (Susan) Prater of Michigan.
Memorial donations can be directed to the family, c/o Jill Prater.
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