A Celebration of Life for Joe E. Prado, age 89, of Enid, will be 2:00 pm, Monday, March 21, 2016 at Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Vernon Lee officiating. Burial will follow in Ozarks Memorial Cemetery, Branson, MO. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home.
Joe was born May 28, 1926 in Ponca City, Oklahoma and passed away Thursday, March 16, 2016 in Enid.
Joe graduated from Ponca City High School. In 1944 the U.S. Army decided Joe was having too much fun so they drafted him. After basic training he traveled from Seattle, to Hawaii, to Saipan in preparation for the assault on Okinawa. Tech Sgt. Prado’s unit attempted to take a high position occupied by the entrenched enemy but was repelled each time experiencing heavy casualties. Joe called in several “Lightening Tanks” which cleared a path to the top with Napalm, taking the hill. Sixty years later, Joe was awarded the Bronze Star for his bravery and service. He was also awarded the Certificate of Appreciation from the VFW.
Joe enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. He loved making big breakfasts for them and telling stories about his time spent in Japan while in the military. One of his fondest memories was of “Little Joe”, a young Japanese boy that his platoon “adopted”. He kept a picture of Little Joe next to his chair for many years after. Joe was self-employed and owned Joe’s Heat & Air for 36 years, as well as a souvenir/gift shop in Branson, Missouri.
He is survived by two daughters, Patricia Anne Prado, of Enid; Donna Lee Lubus and husband Martin, of California; four grandchildren, Shane Glover and wife Karey, of Ringwood; Kevin Glover and wife Nancy, of Hennessey; Anthony Troy Glover of Enid; Dawn Michelle Glover of Enid; fourteen great-grandchildren; and two great-great grandchildren.
Condolences may be made at www.ladusauevans.com.
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