Albert Ferdinand Prater

Born February 24, 1940, at St. Patrick’s Hospital in Lake Charles, LA.Died August 4, 2017, at same St. Patrick’s Hospital. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles Ferdinand Prater and Mary Etta Sullivan Prater.

He attended McNeese University and served as a Military Policeman in the United States Army at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, during the Cuban missile crisis and at the time of President Kennedy’s assassination. When he returned home to Lake Charles, he worked as an Engineering/Project Manager for Hackett and Bailey Architects and Engineers. For ten years, he helped design and engineer various projects in Cameron Parish including the Little Chenier and Gum Cove road projects, relocating the mouth of the Mermentau River and building jetties. In 1974, he went to work for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury as a parish road inspector. In 1982, he was named the Assistant Director of Public Works. His duties expanded to include preparing the yearly budget, as well as oversight of Animal Control, Traffic Engineering, Solid Waste and Parks Department. He helped implement a records management system for public works and a comprehensive vegetation management plan that went on to earn various awards within that field. He started the Calcasieu Parish Government TV Channel (C-GOV) and served as Director from 2000 – 2005. Over the 31 years he worked for the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Albert represented Calcasieu Parish on numerous local and national committees. He served as President of the Louisiana Pesticide Applicator Association. He was honored during his retirement by the awarding of a fifteen hundred dollar scholarship in his name to a Louisiana college student entering the field of study on pesticides. He was a lifetime member of the Louisiana Parish Engineers and Supervisors Association, serving as President of the organization in 1981, 1983, and 1998. He was also a lifetime member of the National Association of County Engineers. He represented Calcasieu Parish on the Board of Directors for 20 years. He belonged to the Louisiana Solid Waste Association, serving as Vice Chairman of the Louisiana Board of Certification for solid waste facilities operators. He was the founder of PEG Channel Association and served as Vice-President of the Louisiana Government Channel Association. He served as Vice-Chairman of Louisiana L-TAP Association Advisory Board. He also served as an Executive Board Member of the Louisiana Police Jury Association. He also was a licensed real estate salesman and owned a paint stripping business, Bright Line Stripping. Albert is survived by his wife, Carole Marie Reon Prater. They were married for 52 years. He is survived by one daughter, Dr. Wendi Carol Prater of Austin, Texas, and one son, Michael Albert Prater (wife Jessica Dawn Schuren) of Houston, Texas. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Caroline Rebecca Travis Jaramillo (husband Xavier Jaramillo), and Brittney Dianne Travis of Austin, Texas, also Denise Michelle Prater, Matthew Ryan Prater, and Lindsay Marie Prater of Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Wayne Jasper Prater (wife Nell Jones Prater) of Kinder, LA, and Charles Mark Prater of Lake Charles, LA. He is survived by two sisters and three brothers: Charlotte Ethelwyn Prater of San Jose, CA, Melissa June Prater Richard (husband Mike Richard) of Sulphur, LA , Huey Pierce Prater (wife Zita Gillis Prater) of Dallas, Texas, Fritz Collin Prater (wife Judy Jett Prater) of Fountain, Colorado, John Wendell Prater (wife Melba Brister Prater) of Baton Rouge, LA.

Services will be held at Hixson Funeral Home in Lake Charles, LA, on Ryan Street. Visitation will be 5PM-8PM Wednesday, August 9. Visitation will also be held Thursday, August 10, from 9 AM-11 AM. Services will be held at 11 AM, followed by burial at Sallier Cemetery next to St. Patrick’s hospital. In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to Prison Fellowship or their Angel Tree to children of prisoners. Donations may be made online at prisonfellowship.org or by mail to Prison Fellowship, P.O. Box 1550, Merrifield, VA 22116-1550. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.