Mark Neil Prather, 65, was lifted up into Heaven on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. He was the son of Stanley Prather and Mavis Hill Prather. He was born on February 2, 1956 in Tulia, Texas.

Mark attended Waxahachie High School where he played cornet and French horn in the band. He was also a member of the high school tennis team. He graduated from high school in Austin in 1974, then enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany after training. He was honorably discharged in 1976 as a Corporal, specializing in communications. Mark attended the University of North Texas and graduated cum laude from the University of Texas in 1983, earning a bachelor's degree in International Business. In 2004 Mark enrolled in additional accounting courses at UT and earned his Certified Public Accounting license in 2006. He worked as a loan officer in the banking industry and retired as a CPA in audit for several companies in California and Texas during his career.

Mark was an avid music lover, particularly enjoying jazz and Texas blues. Over his lifetime, he collected a great library of music representing multiple genres from classical to rock. Mark spent much of his retired time in deep study of a variety of subjects including the Christian Bible, modern politics and Chinese history. Over the past three years, he was self-learning hand wood working skills and finished several furniture and shelving projects in his father's shop.

Mark enjoyed learning the history of almost anything. From languages and dialects to countries and people, he loved long discussions about how their pasts helped to shape the present. He most treasured the time he was able spend with his father; sharing memories of family, working in the shop and long road trips to visit relatives and historical sites.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Mavis (Hill) Prather, step-mother, Glenna (Hall) Prather, two brothers, John Stanley Prather and David Henry Prather as well as his sister, Genie Lynn Prather.

Mark is survived by his father, Stanley Albert Prather, and loving wife of 23 years, Donna (Stapleton) Prather both of Waxahachie, Texas. He is also survived by nephews Jeffrey Eugene Prather, Jonathan Neil Prather both residing in Virginia and Jeremy Tierce Prather of Desoto, Texas, as well as Aunt Elwanda Hutson, Uncle Brian Hill and many cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Waxahachie Funeral Home, 1201 W Highway 287 Bypass in Waxahachie on Saturday, March 6, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.

A donation in lieu of flowers would be appreciated by the family to benefit the nonprofit organization, Stop Soldier Suicide. www.StopSoldierSuicide.org