Emery Edward Prather Jr.

1962-2019 Emery Edward Prather, Jr., of Las Cruces, NM, passed away peacefully among loved ones on October 16, 2019 at University of New Mexico Hospital, Albuquerque, NM at the age of 57, after a 12 year battle with a failing heart. He is survived by his parents, Emery Prather, Sr. of Albuquerque, NM and Janet Webb of Santa Fe, NM; wife, Melody (Cothern) Prather; children, Mychala Worthen (Keith) Las Cruces; brothers, Joseph (Elenore) Farmington, NM; Joshua, Albuquerque, NM: Jeremiah (Susie)Santa Fe, NM: several grandchildren and great grandchildren and a niece and two nephews. He is preceded in death by both is paternal and maternal grandparents and his sister, Luanne. Edward was born on February, 1962 at Vandenburg AFB, Lompoc, CA to Emery Prather and Janet Webb . He graduated from Los Lunas High School in 1981 shortly enlisting in the United States Army 95 Bravo Military Police stationed at Fort McClelland, AL. After boot camp he was stationed with the 3rd Infantry Division at Harvey Barracks, Kitzingen, Germany (1981-1983). After the death of his sister Luanne, he was stationed at Fort Gordon, GA (1983-1985), He took leave to return to New Mexico to marry Melody Cothern, his high school sweetheart on November 5, 1983. While stationed in Georgia, the couple welcomed their only child Mychala Rhea into the world. Edward’s life from then on was all about caring for his family and that meant moving around the country. He spent three years with the United States Border Patrol in Laredo, TX.; Five years working contract security for White Sands Missile Range; Six years as a Security Officer in Las Vegas NV.; Eight years as a Detention Officer for the United States Bureau of Prisons and Immigration Service in Eloy, AZ.; After the graduation of his daughter, Edward and Melody moved to Boulder CO. then shortly thereafter to Dallas TX. Then in 2004 returning to Las Cruces, NM to help care for Melody’s mother. Edward retired from working in 2007 due to his declining health. He was a great man with a kind heart and firm handshake. Edward was an instant friend to everyone he met. He was a great husband, father, friend, brother, uncle, companion, confidant, card player and backseat video gamer. Edward loved the outdoors and missed it greatly in his later life. He enjoyed learning. He taught himself everything he knew from welding to computer programming. Edward was a former member of the Boy Scouts of America, the United States Army National Guard, the United States Army Reserve, the American Legion and an active member of Community of Christ. He will be missed by his family and friends, but he now walks tall in the kingdom of heaven free from pain and earthly limitations. The family would like to thank all the doctors and nurses of the Medical ICU at University of New Mexico Hospital, with special thanks to Dr. Nick Villalobos and Dr. Roset Samuel for their dedication during Edward’s last days. They would also like to thank Romero Funeral Home, Belen, NM for their help and understanding. Please sign Edward’s online tribute at www.romerofuneralhomenm.com Romero Funeral Home, 609 N. Main St. Belen, NM

Emery Edward Prather Jr.

February 23, 1962 - October 16, 2019