The following information was provided by John's brother, Larry Prather.

John moved to Meade in 1953 when his father, Hilton Prather, moved his family from Ford, Kansas where he was a teacher.

John was a 1956 Graduate of Meade High School. He attended Southwestern College where he was in Pre-Ministerial Studies. After graduating from Southwestern College, John received his Masters Degree in Political Science from Temple University. He then enrolled in Washburn University where he received his Law Degree.

Upon obtaining his law degree, John practiced his profession first in Wichita and then in Meade until his untimely death in 1972. He was the victim of an explosion due to a natural gas leak in his residence.

John was married and later divorced with no children being born to the union.

His interest were many and varied. His favorite hobby was photography; however, he also collected various artifacts