Richard Prater

Richard C. Prater

July 15, 1927

February 10, 2015

Services for Dick Prater were held Feb. 15 at Salado United Methodist Church with burial following at Salado Cemetery.

Richard (Dick) C. Prater, 87, of Salado, died on February 10, 2015 surrounded by his family. 

He was married to Tommye Prater. They resided in Salado. 

He was born in Amarillo, TX on July 15, 1927 to Jane and Carl Prater. He had one older brother, Ted. 

After graduating from high school at the age of 15, he enrolled at Texas A&M in 1943, was a member of the Corp of Cadets, and had five semesters completed prior to enlisting in the Navy in 1945 at the age 17. Prater served as a Y-3C yeoman on the Dauphin and Houston naval ships from May 1945-July 1946. After his naval service during World War II, Prater graduated (class of ‘47) in January 1950 with a degree in civil engineering from Texas A&M. 

He was in the Army Corps and later in the Army ROTC program and stayed in the reserves for 16 years as a Captain. After college, Prater began his career in the concrete ready-mix business in Ft. Worth,. 

He built his first concrete plant, named the company Prater Company and sold it in 1966, when he purchased Cen-Tex Ready Mix in Temple and Killeen. That business flourished under his direction. He sold it in 1976, but remained with Cen-Tex Ready Mix for seven years until he purchased Rockdale Ready Mix. After selling that plant in 1995, he started Belcrete Concrete Company in Belton, which he still owned and operated. 

Golf was one of Richard’s favorite sports. 

He was admired for his competitive spirit and played very competitively until just a few short years ago. Richard also had a love of flying and was an instrument rated pilot. 

He was a founding member of Texas A&M Letterman’s Association while lettering in Diving. As a true 12th man, Richard proudly held season tickets for A&M games.

Prater was very involved in community affairs in Temple serving on the Industrial Foundation, Chamber of Commerce President, City Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem. In Rockdale he served in various capacities at Rockdale Country Club. 

In Salado, Richard was active on the Planning and Zoning Committee. 

Prater and and his wife, Tommye, were members at Salado United Methodist Church. 

He is survived by his wife, Tommye A. Prater. He has five children, Betty (Mike) McMillioan, Ron Prater, Trish (Craig) Sebek, David (Anetha) Prater and Kathy (Steve) Hawkins and two stepchildren, Courtney (Milan) Urukalo and Mike Rutledge. Richard is also survived by 11 grandchildren and spouses, and 16 great-grandchildren as well as nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Jane Prater and brother Ted Prater. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Salado United Methodist Church.