Stephen Ray Prout

Bluefield, Va - Stephen Ray Prout died at his home, surrounded by loving family, in Bluefield, VA, on April 15, 2019. He was 63. Steve was born in 1955 to Anna Margaret and John William (Jack) Prout in Indianapolis, IN. He grew up in a large family, with eight siblings. In the winter the children ice-skated in a backyard rink, and in the summer they frequently traveled to a nearby lake for fishing, beginning a lifelong love of fishing that Steve would share with many members of his family. Steve relocated to Bluefield, VA, in 1975, where he met his wife, Phyllis. They married in Bluefield in 1977. Steve worked for over 40 years in healthcare. He was a respiratory therapist at Bluefield Community Hospital, and later served the community as a home health-care provider at Laurel Mountain Medical and Four Seasons Home Medical. Steve and Phyllis have two children, Christopher Stephen and Ashley Danielle. When Chris and Ashley were young, Steve coached their youth sports teams. In his free time, Steve enjoyed catching stripers and catfish on Claytor Lake, taking family vacations to the beach, and visiting family in Indianapolis, New York, and northern Virginia. His enthusiasm and personable, curious nature brought life to gatherings. In recent years, Steve’s young grandchildren brought him much joy. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, Margaret and Jack Prout, his brother Joe Prout, and brothers-in-law Ray Chaney, Bill Loyal, and Tommy and Charles Lambert. He is survived by his wife Phyllis; children Chris Prout (and wife Lee) of New York, NY; Ashley Prout (and husband Lamine) of Centreville, VA; and grandchildren Fatim, Tariq, and Habib Ly; siblings Dorothy Orr (and husband Pete) of Pensacola, FL; John Prout of Fort Walton Beach, FL; Sue West (and husband Mike); Don Prout (and wife Diane); Jean Loyal; Nancy Hill (and husband Mike); and Katie Schuster (and husband Tim), all of Indianapolis, IN; siblings-in-law Sharon Chaney of Morgantown, WV; Frank Lambert of Bluefield, WV; Linda Miller of Indianapolis, IN; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and grandnieces and grandnephews. Steve will be remembered in a memorial service at Mercer Funeral Home at 1231 West Cumberland Road in Bluefield, WV. Visitation will be held from 12-2 p.m., and the service will begin at 2 p.m. on Saturday April 20,2019 Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com. Mercer Funeral Home & Crem is serving the family of Stephen Prout.

Stephen Ray Prout

October 21, 1955 - April 15, 2019