Stephen Kent Prater

Stephen Kent Prater died January 16, 2026, at his home in Sherwood, AR - arm-in-arm with his three sons and his loving wife of over fifty years, Susan.

Steve was born on April 30, 1949, the third child of Reubin and Berniece Prater in Oklahoma City, OK. He had two sisters, Terry and Jeanne, who knew him as “Sonny Boy Precious.” He graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1967 and graduated from Oklahoma State University, where he was an inaugural member of the unsanctioned Gamma Alpha Sigma fraternity. He enrolled in ROTC and served as a captain in the Oklahoma National Guard. He was later promoted to the rank of “Captain Daddy” by his family.

His mother introduced Steve to a co-worker, Susan Peters, in 1973, who would turn out to be the love of his life. They married in 1975 and had three sons: Stephen, Bradley, and David. In 1994, the family relocated to Little Rock, AR. They vacationed frequently at Arkansas lakes, where Steve amazed them with his seamanship and water-skiing skills. After retiring as an insurance auditor, Steve and Susan visited all fifty states and numerous national parks in their travel trailer.

In 2007, Steve and Susan became Ace and Queenie to their first grandchild and were thrilled to become grandparents three more times. He is survived by Susan Prater of Sherwood, AR; Stephen Prater & Leslie Walker of Portland, OR; Bradley & Stephanie Prater of Auburn, AL; David Prater & Kim Hannah-Prater of Baltimore, MD; and his grandchildren Owen, Callum, Isobel and Amiyah as well as his two sisters Terry Curtis of Sapulpa, OK and Jeanne Cole of Ada, OK and numerous nieces and nephews.

Steve will always be remembered by his family and friends for the love he showed his family, his sense of humor, and the numerous captured German U-Boats he spotted on Arkansas Hwy 25.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the International Foundation for CDKL5 Research (cdkl5.com) in honor of Isobel Prater.