Brian Thomas Prather

 m  Brian Thomas Prather of Crystal Lake, IL died in his sleep on November 27, 2021, at age 57.  While Brian had been dealing with complications due to Type II diabetes for several years, his death came as a heartbreaking shock to his family.

Brian was born on June 16, 1964, in Cary, IL and is the third of five sons born to Tom and Joan Prather.  Brian grew up in Cary and attended Cary schools, graduating from Cary-Grove High School in 1982.  Brian was confirmed at the Cary United Methodist Church and continued as a lifelong member. In high school Brian (“Moosejaw”) played for the Cary Grove Trojans football team and was recognizable as the only guy running down field with red bottomed shoes, roaring as he ran.

Brian carried on a long tradition of work in construction with cousins, uncles, great uncles and his grandfather all in the trades. Brian was a big guy and well-suited for his career working in construction, concrete, and later worked for many years at the Village of Algonquin in the Public Works Department.

Brian proposed to the love of his life, Laura Barth, by creating a treasure hunt for her at Hickory Grove Highlands Conservation Area by carefully placed stones he hand carved that spelled out “Laura, will you marry me?” She said “yes”, and they were married in October, 1996, just recently celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary. In their life journey together, Brian opened his heart and dearly loved Laura’s daughters, Alyssa and Amanda.  In 1998, Brian and Laura were blessed with the birth of their twin sons, Wyatt and Samuel. Through the years, Brian and Laura supported their children in all their school activities and achievements and especially loved attending their basketball games, concerts and plays. As a family they enjoyed participating in the annual Trail of History at Glacial Park and summer camp at Tomahawk Scout Ranch through Wyatt and Sam’s participation in the Boy Scouts. Brian and Laura together were involved in Boy Scout Troop 222, Brian serving as Scoutmaster, and worked with each of their sons toward their attainment of Eagle Scout rank.

Brian enjoyed walks at the Hollows Conservation Area, and he enjoyed camping and fishing trips with his family and friends. He really valued nature and loved to pick wild berries to make delicious jam. Brian had a talent for woodworking and carved beautiful necklaces. He loved sitting outside drinking coffee while watching the birds. He was a Bears and Cubs fan and loved listening to music. Brian loved his family dogs, Gypsy, Gracie & Bella. Brian had a big heart and could be stubborn, but he loved his family, extended family, and his friends immensely and was always there to help anyone who needed it.

Brian is survived by his beloved wife Laura, daughters Alyssa (Joe) Hofmann and Amanda Barth, sons Wyatt and Samuel, his granddaughter Sophia, his parents Tom and Joan Prather, and his four brothers Tim (Rose), Keven (Cathy), Eric (Sara), and Brent (Karyn), and many nieces and nephews. He is also survived by Laura’s parents, Bill and Bernie Moll, her siblings, Bill (Pam), Steve (Debbie), Therese (Glenn) and David (Michelle), and many nieces and nephews. Brian is preceded in death by his Uncle Paul Lipka, his cousin Narissa Lipka, and his grandparents.  Brian’s death leaves a huge hole in our family, and we miss him dearly.

A viewing will be held at Kahle-Moore Funeral Home, 403 Silver Lake Road in Cary, IL on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm.  A memorial service will be held at Cary United Methodist Church, 500 North 1st Street, Cary, IL on Saturday, December 4, 2021, at 12:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts would be appreciated and may be made as an online donation to the Amputee Coalition on Brian’s behalf https://www.amputee-coalition.org/ways-to-give/donate-online-by-mail-or-by-phone/donate-online/

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