JACOB "Jack" J. Prater made the most of the opportunities life presented. He loved meeting people, hearing their stories, and inspiring them by example. He was full of heart but the most important thing in his life was his family. On Sunday, May 26, 2024, Jack passed away just shy of his 91st birthday.

Jacob was born on June 11, 1933, in Cincinnati Ohio, the only child of Katherine (nee Vespie) and Ernest Prater. After his parents divorced, Jack and Katherine spent the next 11 years living in Cincinnati and West Virginia. His mother worked full-time so Jack, a movie lover, often entertained himself watching triple features at local theaters.

Jack was not yet a teenager when his mother married John G. Mitchell. Jack found a father figure in his mother's new husband. Over the next few years, the family grew with the addition of Jack's sisters Jane and Joan. His father also remarried, and with his wife Martha, provided Jack with three more siblings - Frances, Phyllis, and Ernie.

Jack earned a degree in theology from Bethany College (West Virginia) before enlisting in the US Army. While stationed at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, he met the love of his life, Gloria Alicia Villarreal, at a dance. Within a few months Jack's charm gained him acceptance into Gloria's traditional Mexican family and they married on October 18, 1958. Soon after marrying, the couple moved to Frankfurt, Germany where Jack served as an US Army social worker. They returned to Cincinnati where Gloria gave birth to their only child, Debra Katherine Prater, on December 29, 1960.

Following his Army service, Jack earned a master's degree in social work from Ohio State University. With his degree, Jack began his career as a case worker at The Children's Home of Cincinnati. Later he worked with the Cincinnati Red Cross and the United Way/Community Chest of Cincinnati.

Jack's United Way career flourished with his 1970 move from Cincinnati to Denver. Following his tenure with United Way of Denver, he served as CEO for United Ways in Louisville, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Among his many professional accomplishments was leading the United Way of Chicago/Crusade of Mercy campaign that became the first in the nation to raise $100M in a single year.

Upon retiring, Jack and Gloria became dedicated grandparents to Luke, Noah, and Max Mitchelson in Milwaukee. Jack relished his role as "Papaw" to the boys, becoming their advisor, caregiver, and chauffeur. He readily admitted that his role as husband, father, brother, uncle, and grandfather provided him with his greatest happiness. In the last 10 years of his life, Jack excelled as a caregiver to his wife Gloria who suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

Jack is survived by his wife Gloria, daughter Debbie (Mark) Mitchelson, and grandsons Luke, Noah (June Kaewpiatao), and Max (Meg Selkey). He is also survived by sisters Jane (Greg) Smith and Frances (Ron) Conner as well as sister-in-law Bonnie (Tony) Villarreal. He was uncle to 25 and cousin to many. He is preceded in death by his parents, stepparents, and siblings Joan Coleman, Phyllis Herzog, and Ernie Prater.

A memorial reception will be held on Thursday, June 13 from 4:00- 6:00 pm at Shully's ATC (143 Green Bay Rd, Thiensville WI 53092) with a brief service at 5:15 pm . All are invited to attend to celebrate his life and legacy. To honor Jack's life memorial gifts can be sent to: United Way of Greater Milwaukee & Waukesha County, Humane Society of Ozaukee County, or Bethany College (Bethany, WV).