[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 147 (Monday, October 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2030]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO JOHN GIDEON PRATHER SR.

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. HAROLD ROGERS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 1, 2007

  Mr. ROGERS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I regret that I must inform the 
House of the passing of another member of that vanishing breed of ``the 
Greatest Generation'' of Americans who served our Nation during World 
War II and made our Nation and its communities strong when they came 
home.
  John Gideon Prather Sr. was somebody all of us turned to for advice. 
Part of that was because he was a wise attorney, helping many clients 
who couldn't really afford one, but it was also because that's just the 
way he was, regardless of his chosen profession. The country lawyer in 
him gave advice to judges, other attorneys and clients across Kentucky. 
As a prosecuting attorney, he set the tone for how lawyers ought to 
interact with one another professionally, fight as they may in the 
courtroom. Our community and our criminal justice system are stronger 
because of him.
  John left us September 21, 2007 at the age of 87. His law partners 
were his son John Jr. and Winter Huff. He began working in his father's 
insurance company in the 1940s. After Pearl Harbor was bombed, he 
joined the U.S. Navy, where he served in North Africa and Italy. After 
the war, he graduated from the University of Kentucky law school and 
began his legal career, spanning six decades and including terms as 
Somerset City and State prosecuting attorney.
  As a civic leader, he was not just a member of our community 
organizations, including the Jaycees, Kiwanis Club, VFW and American 
Legion, he was a leader in them. He was also a profound Sunday school 
teacher. But John Prather's greatest civic effort was his near-lifelong 
commitment to Troop 79 of the Boy Scouts, headquartered at his church 
in Somerset. Generations of young boys became much better men through 
John's dedication to Boy Scouts. They were his greatest pride and maybe 
his greatest legacy.
  He leaves behind his wife, Jean, a son, a daughter-in-law, and four 
grandchildren.
  John was a father figure and friend to us lawyers, his church, civic 
colleagues, and, indeed, the whole community. A mighty oak has fallen 
and the void left on the mountain top is both painful and profound. We 
will miss the gentlemanly courtesies, wise counsel, and warm friendship 
he dispensed so liberally.
  We will miss John G. Prather.

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