James Prater

James (Jim) Prater, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and proud Navy veteran, passed away peacefully at home on June 13, 2025, surrounded by his loved ones. He was 90. Born on July 13, 1934, in Spokane, Washington, Jim was raised on a farm near Colfax, WA by his parents, the late Orval and Mamie Taylor Prater. He graduated from Colfax High School in 1952 and went on to attend Central Washington State University before answering the call to serve his country. In 1955, Jim entered the Navy Aviation Cadet Program and began a distinguished 24½-year career as a Naval Aviator. He was a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War and retired as a Captain from the Navy in July 1979. He furthered his education at the Naval Postgraduate School in 1972 and earned a master’s degree from the University of Southern California in 1975. Following his military service, Jim continued to dedicate himself to education, as a professor in the Institute of Technology at Northrop University in Los Angeles, California, from 1982 until his retirement in 1991. He also volunteered at the Ventura County Rescue Mission Learning Center in Oxnard, California. His love of learning and teaching extended beyond the classroom—he found deep joy in tutoring and mentoring his children and grandchildren. Jim married the love of his life, Beverly LaVaughn Gunn, in Pensacola, Florida, in June 1963. Together, they built a life filled with travel, resilience, and deep family bonds through many years of military service. After his retirement, Jim eventually settled in Northern Virginia in 2002, where he remained close to family. Jim will be remembered for his keen intellect, generous spirit, and deep love for his family. An avid reader and lifelong learner, he modeled integrity, perseverance, and quiet strength to all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Beverly; his parents Orval and Mamie Prater; siblings Thelma Bensley, Maxine Rode, and Billy Prater; son Scott Hutson; grandson Joshua Pierce; and sons-in-law Marvin Pierce and Dennis Thompson. He is survived by his children: Melanie Gibbs (Lou) of Edenton, NC; Linda Thompson of Gainesville, VA; Sandi Pierce of Gainesville, VA; Mitzi Stites (Steve) of Stockton, CA; and daughter-in-law Christine Hutson Johnson (Brian) of Charlottesville, VA, and a cousin, Eddie Taylor of Montana. Jim was a proud grandfather to Christy Vega (Gus), Kelly Gibbs, Jim Gibbs (Ariana Murphy), Tara Hakenson (Jason), Jeni Thompson (Justin Welborn), Denise Scott (Chris), Heather Pierce (Darwin Carlisle), Alexis Hutson, Matt Hutson, Conner Hutson, Christopher Stites, and Jeremy Stites, and great-grandfather to Emily Vega, Lilly Vega, Jaylyn Hakenson, Jason Hakenson, Jules Hakenson, Kayla Thompson, Darrien Peacock, Brayden Welborn, Nathan Welborn, Ava Scott, and Cara Scott. His legacy lives on in the family he loved so deeply, in the students he inspired, and in the countless lives he touched with quiet wisdom and grace. Graveside services will be held on June 25, 2025 at 1:30 at Quantico. “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there.”

Tributes

James Prater

June 13, 2025