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The Trestle Board

Text Box: Brother Charles W. “Chase” Prather has been selected to receive the 2006 Grand Master Service Award. Brother Prather, is a fifty year member of West Union Lodge #43 in West Union, Ohio. He was nominated for this award by the Seventh Masonic District Association Officers of which Worshipful Brother Keith O’Dell is President. Brother Prather is being recognized for his dedication to his community and its citizens by his proactive nature in seeing the needs of those around him and responding tirelessly to those requirements. He has consistently responded to programs and appeals for families who are less fortunate. His contributions to these efforts are often given anomalously, not seeking publicity for his participation. His selflessness is a trait often observed in his church and many other organizations, too numerous to mention of which he belongs. This characteristic began when he was a young boy delivering corn cobs he collected from local feed mills to the homes of the underprivileged so they could start fires to heat their homes. His work ethic began early when he walked a paper route as a boy and collected tickets at the Strand Theater to assist his family through the hardships of the depression. These memories prompted Brother Prather to resolve that if he ever had the opportunity to assist those less fortunate than himself, he would undertake to accomplish that mission. How better to exemplify the tenants of Freemasonry of Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth. A career with Kroger ended in December 1956 when that company closed their location in West Union. Brother Prather opened his own store in West Union “Prather’s IGA” in January 1957. Now in his seventies Brother Prather continues work seven day a weeks and provides employment in his store for nearly eighty-five part time and full time employees. Brother Prather is very active in the West Union Presbyterian Church, Lions Club, National Rifle Association and is a member of the Adams County Country Club. Brother Prather and his wife Betty have been married since 1953 and have four children; Ms. Rhonda McDowell, Ms. Robin Lucas, Jay Prather and Ms. Amber Dubbs. Brother Jay Prather, of Union Lodge #43, will be accepting the Grand Master’s Service Award on behalf of his father who is in Florida, which is an annual event for his parents.

Grand Master’s Service Award