Kenneth Lee Prater, Jr.

Kenneth Lee Prater, Jr, 59, of Lexington, SC, husband of Jill Copeland Prater, passed away May 23, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. Born January 10, 1965 in Jacksonville, FL, he was the son of the late Joann Eleazer Fowler.

Ken’s love for firefighting and helping people started at an early age. He joined the Lexington County Fire Service as a volunteer firefighter in 1986. Ken dedicated his own personal time to raising money for the very first thermal imaging camera and equipment for the county, which saved countless lives. He started his firefighting career by doing fire prevention, attending festivals and local events. He retired from the fire service in 2013 and later became a Civil Process Server with many local law firms. Ken later worked for many local funeral homes in the area including Caughman-Harman, Barr Price, Temples- Halloran, and finished his career with McAlister-Smith as a funeral attendant.

Ken married Jill Copeland November 28, 1992 after dating for 6 years. He always attended his son Lee’s school Career Day, even bringing the fire trucks for the kids to see. He loved going on cruises, fishing with his son, Lee, was a huge Steve Spurrier fan, and loved old country and beach music. Ken loved his and Jill’s day trips, may it be to the mountains or the beach, he was always ready to hit the road.  Ken was proud to be a Mason, being a member of Lexington Lodge #152. He was also involved as an active member with The Moroccan Shrine Temple in Jacksonville, FL and Scottish Rite Temple and the York Rite, both in Columbia.

Ken was preceded in death by his mother and his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Eltis Copeland and Fred Copeland, Sr.

Ken is lovingly remembered by his wife of 38 years, Jill Copeland; his son, Kenneth “Lee” Prater, III; his sisters, Becky Churchill (Alan) and Leslie Miller (Greg); his loving nieces and nephews; brothers-in-law, Freddie Copeland (Carol), and Jimmy Copeland; and special friends, Faith Mosier and Tanya Bazemore. 

A special thank you to his care team, Dr Payton Faust and staff at Lexington Family Practice, Dr. Saad Usmani at Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Dr. Nilay Shah and staff at Levine Cancer Institute, and the many nurses and doctors at Atrium Health at Carolinas Medical Center.

The family will receive friends from 6-8PM, Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 200 State St, West Columbia, SC 29169.

Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 2PM in the chapel of the funeral home with the Rev. Donna Eidson officiating. Burial will follow the service at Lexington Memorial Cemetery with Masonic Rites being accorded. Honoring Ken as pallbearers will be Hamp Taylor, Ayden Phillips, Wes Koon, David Barnes, David Cloutier and Cole Godley.

Memorials may be made in Ken’s memory to the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to McAlister-Smith Funeral Home, 200 State Street, West Columbia, SC 29169, (803)999-5015.