William “Grant” Praytor
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A celebration of life for William “Grant” Praytor, 85 years of age, a Durant resident, formerly of Lane, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at Harmony Baptist Church, in Atoka, with Pastor Jay Willoughby officiating.
Praytor will be laid to rest during a private family graveside at Bokchito Cemetery, prior to the service.
Services were under the direction of Brown’s Funeral Service, in Atoka.
Praytor passed away on Thursday, October 22, 2020, after having recently celebrated his eighty-fifth birthday. He died surrounded by his loving wife of sixty years, Pat, and their three children, Darla, Dan, and Lisa. Praytor’s family affectionately says that as Grant met his Heavenly Father, he asked him, “Where are the animals? I have to feed my animals!” Love and laughter were big parts of his life, and, in reminiscing about his life, his family holds onto those memories.
He was born on July 28, 1935, to James Richard Praytor and Polly Edna (Moffat) Praytor, in Matoy.
Praytor attended school in Matoy, graduated from Bokchito High School, and Oklahoma State University, in Stillwater with a B.S. in Poultry Science.
As a boy growing up, Grant developed a love of animals and their care, and that continued into adulthood. Grant was happiest when he was surrounded by his family and his animals, especially his chickens and ducks! Grant loved to share his knowledge, and he enjoyed teaching others anything and everything about animals and gardening.
Praytor married Patricia “Pat” (Crenshaw) on April 2, 1960. Their small family of two quickly became one of five as they happily welcomed the arrival of their son, Dan, and their daughters, Darla and Lisa.
He started his career with OSU Extension Service as a 4-H agent in Tishomingo. In 1961, Praytor became the 4-H agent in Idabel, and he remained in that position until 1972. He then became the OSU Extension Director in Shawnee. In 1976, Praytor and his family moved to Atoka, and he was the OSU Extension Director until he retired in 1990 from that position, after thirty years of dedicated service.
As a man of many talents, he was interested in farm animals, especially goats, chickens, and ducks. Praytor also enjoyed cooking unusual foods that both pleased and surprised his friends and family.
After retirement, he continued to judge at local fairs, and he was an Future Farmers of America (FFA) honorary advisor. Praytor was a long-time OSU fan, and he loved to travel. Above all, Praytor never tired of spending time with his family and many friends.
Survivors include his loving wife, Pat Praytor; three children, Darla (Praytor) Coles and husband, Cory, of Atoka; Dan Praytor and wife, June, of Atoka; Lisa (Praytor) Jackson and Greg, of Kingston; grandchildren, Brenton and Stevie Sides, both of Euless, Texas; Danni and Miles Reed, both of Atoka; Stefan Sides of Lane; Mikayla and Zack Wood, both of Mead; Kylee and Justin Bailey, both of Kingston; great-grandchildren, Lynnix, Marlee, Mazie, Asher, Joslynn, and Hunter; along with extended family members and many dear friends.
Preceding him in death were his parents Richard and Polly Praytor; siblings, Richard Edwin Praytor and Alma Marie Sinor; and nephew, Lewis Ray Sinor.
Honorary pallbearers are Tommy Johnson, Darrell Coates, Nelson Day, Jerry Estep, Greg Garrison, Richard Sinor, Kenny Praytor, Curtis Belcher and Michael Mosqueda.
In lieu of flowers, feel free to make donations to the Parkingson’s Research Foundation or Featherstone Assisted Living of Durant.
The family asks that when you remember Grant, you do so with a smile on your face and know that he is a shepherd in Heaven, and he is surrounded by his beloved animals.
