Former Montgomery Police Chief, classic car enthusiast laid to rest

Grant Parish community members gathered Saturday to remember the life of former Montgomery Police Chief Gerald Prather. The 70-year-old was killed by a drunk driver on June 2.

He spent five years protecting the Town of Montgomery, but the California native also spent most of his life restoring antique cars.

Saturday the church where Prather's service was held could have been mistaken for a classic car show. Friends and family parked the cars he restored out front.

They said he poured his heart and soul into the cars. His wife Linda of 52 years said he restored so many throughout their entire marriage.

"He had such a passion for what he did, and the men that he worked for when he did the cars," Prather said. "It was just his passion. When you have a passion, you have to let them do it."

Prather also served in the United States Air Force, with one tour in Vietnam. He had a son and many grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Friends and family hope his legacy will carry on through each car he fixed.

"What takes people five or six years to do a lot of these, he did in 100 days," said longtime friend David Rushing. "He got started, he didn't quit until he finished it."

Prather was buried in Montgomery Cemetery with military honors.