Joplin, MO - Danniel "Joe" Prater of Joplin, Missouri passed away peacefully of natural causes with family by his side on April 9, 2025 at the age of 87.

Born in Tuskahoma, Oklahoma on March 20, 1938 to Jess and Jessie (Farris) Prater, Joe spent his earliest years in the Kiamichi River valley. In the early 1940s his family moved to Parsons, Kansas where he spent most of his formative years through high school. In 1955 he enlisted in the United States Air Force where he served honorably for four years.

In 1964, Joe met the woman that would become his best friend and soulmate, Ruth (Baldwin) Prater, while working as a night orderly at Parsons Hospital in Parsons, Kansas. They were married on July 31, 1965 and enjoyed over 54 years together until her passing in June 2020. Together, their life's journey took them from Parsons to Topeka, then Tulsa, Bixby, Baxter Springs, and ultimately Joplin, where they retired.

In the early 1970s, Joe founded a successful screen printing business, which he operated for 14 years. Later in the 80s and 90s he worked for the Empire District Electric Company as an operator at the Asbury power plant.

Art was Joe's sanctuary. He was a self-taught painter captivated by western and wildlife themes. His paintings were often characterized by rugged beauty, solitude, and storytelling, and were exhibited in many places over the years, including locally in Joplin at the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts. His handcrafted Christmas cards featuring original artwork became cherished gifts among family and friends.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth Prater; his parents, Jess and Jessie Prater; and his three brothers, Calvin, Bill, and Rudell Prater.

He is survived by three sons and their families: Todd Prater (Carrie), Shawnee, Kansas; Jeff Prater, Santa Fe, New Mexico; Tim Prater (Carey), Overland Park, Kansas.

He was the proud grandfather of five grandchildren: Alexis and Reese Prater, Joplin, Missouri; Brooks, Sophia, and Hadley Prater, Shawnee, Kansas.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM at Sojourners Christian Church, 3100 N St. Louis Avenue, Joplin, MO 64801. Joe and Ruth's interment will occur at Fort Scott National Cemetery, 900 E National Ave., Fort Scott, KS 66701, at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Joe's memory may be made to the George A. Spiva Center for the Arts in Joplin, Missouri, at https://give.spivaarts.org/