Kenneth Prather

Kenneth Prather, 90, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family on January 20,2021 in Alamogordo, New Mexico.  He was born on November 30, 1930 in Carrier Mills, Illinois to Cleo and Beatrice (McNew) Prather.

Ken served in the United States Air Force for four years and was assigned to Holloman Air Force Base.  Shortly after moving to Alamogordo, Ken met Adelina Aguillar and they married soon after.  After completing his term in the Air Force, he and Nina spent a short time in Pueblo, Colorado where he worked for Frontier Airlines and then returned to Alamogordo, where Ken worked as an Air Traffic Controller at Holloman Air Force Base.

Ken had a passion for antique cars.  So much so that, after his retirement, he spent the majority of his time locating, rebuilding and restoring antique vehicles.  He also frequently attended swap meets and car shows around the area, where he would often enter his latest restoration project.  Ken was also a member of the Golden Gears Car Club in Alamogordo. Ken and Nina always enjoyed the drives with the other car club members, the hamburger stops at the local Sonic Drive In and the lifelong  friendships made along the way. Ken and Nina were very happily married for 67 years.

Ken is survived by his wife, Nina Prather, his two daughters and their husbands, Linda and Bob Martinez of El Paso, Texas, and Diane and Bryan Shofner of Frisco, Texas along with his grandsons, Nicholas and Mathew Martinez, Taylor and Landon Shofner as well as numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to extend their gratitude, love and appreciation to his nephew, Michael Guilliams of Alamogordo for his unconditional love and caretaking during his final months.  Also, heartfelt thanks to Ambercare Hospice Nurse Kim for her kind and compassionate care and support during this difficult time.

Ken was preceded in death by his father, Cleo, his mother, Beatrice, a brother Donald and two sisters, Shirley Thaxton and Barbara Soletti.

Inurnment with military honors will be held at the St. Jude Columbarium on Saturday, June 12, 2021 at 11:00 am.

The Prather family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Scenic Chapel. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kenneth Prather, please visit our floral store.