Vance Alan Prather
August 15, 1962 ~ September 7, 2025
Vance Alan Prather, 63 of Turlock, California, passed away on September 7, 2025. He was born on August 15, 1962, in Oakland, California, to William Prather of Missouri and Linda Wright of California.
Vance was larger than life and lived each day on his own terms. He had a strong sense of right and wrong and was always quick to lend a hand whether to a friend, a family member or even a stranger in need. He had a playful, goofy sense of humor and a gift for making people laugh. Whether it was an inside joke that lasted for years or something witty he thought of at the moment, he could always bring joy and levity to those around him. Vance loved the outdoors – fishing, camping and hiking were some of his favorite ways to spend time. Music was another constant in his life, he especially enjoyed playing the drums. He also had a passion for adventure and thrived in extreme sports, from skateboarding and snowboarding to mountain biking. He loved to travel and had the opportunity to visit more than a dozen countries, embracing new experiences, food and cultures along the way.
Vance took great pride in his work beginning with his very first job as a teenager at Foster Freeze. Education was one of Vance’s greatest passions. As the first in his family to graduate from college, he was deeply proud of that milestone and went on to pursue both graduate and postgraduate studies, setting an inspiring example of dedication and perseverance. He went on to make a lasting mark in Silicon Valley, bringing numerous new products to life while always staying true to himself. Among the many highlights of his career:
- 16 Registered Patents
- Postgraduate Fellowship at Stanford University
- MBA from California State University, Stanislaus
- Bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College
He had a gift for conversation and a presence that drew people in. Vance touched the lives of many with his kindness and enthusiasm that will never be forgotten.
He is survived by his wife Carol Leon, his children, Dalton Prather and Sarah Prather; his stepchildren, Charles Michael Padilla and Brandon Leon; his grandson, Jayden Padilla, his sister in-laws Lupe Mims and Alice Nush and his two brothers Dalton D. Rose and Sean Prather.
A Memorial Service will be held at Allen Mortuary on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 1:00pm.
A Livestream of the service can be watched by following this link: viewlogies.net
If you feel moved to contribute toward the cost of Vance’s services, we would be deeply grateful. Any amount, no matter the size, is truly appreciated. Please use the link below:
2 Condolences for Vance Alan Prather
Condolences(2)
Tony Nugent says
September 13, 2025 at 10:55 pmCorey and I attended Vance’s celebration today. I remember when we had a few months overlap at Neato (I wish he had stayed we were working on an engineering change control process- young companies eventually need process- but he went to Anki no PM after him was interested in this process in the way he was because of his experience). He had divorced and had remarried, he told me he was so happy with his wife Carol living in Turlock California, I met her for the first time today. He would find in- expensive accommodations and even camp at Lake Delvalle to make it work he told me he had a very manageable mortgage because of this.
I was struck by his stepson Brandon who was really emotional about him and Brandons two friends who also saw him as a father figure and spoke to this. I was struck by this that to generate this emotion from not just his stepson but also his stepsons friends he must have put a lot into their relationships. I get emotional when I try to speak at these events, but then again I tend to be an emotional person I’ve learned to accept that, others are more polished and that’s ok.
I saw today a core group who lived with and loved this man, sometimes we see each other when we first met and were kids and then we kind of know each other is still out there but then shock they are gone. Vance was a father figure and also frankly a fun guy for these young men. The video of the memorial is online at the mortuary, the photo montage is maybe difficult to see but some of the 2025 photos showed him losing weight and obviously something is happening. His wife Carol did the heavy lifting all the way to the end with him.
I hope Corey and I expressed all the Logi peoples respect and frankly love for him. Vance kept going earning an MBA and other qualifications after he left Logi, he was a bit of a showman (allow our little vanities) one day he would be dressed like the guy from breaking bad the next a cowboy.
I’m not religious per se, I’m a kind of sometimes practicing Irish Catholic agnostic atheist believer (I’m ok with contradictions because otherwise for me it wont work). But one thing I took from my father who had spent six months as a novice before the church told him maybe the priesthood was not for him but he was quite devout but also philosophical. He told me the simplest thing to adhere to is the concept that god is Love. I’ve come to see this as true its not I love that item or that attractive person its love you see when people give and help. Today I saw the results of Vance’s love and the love Vance received and so today I saw God.
Best
Tony
Larry Gilmore says
September 13, 2025 at 11:01 amI knew Vance when he first started at Logitech many moons ago. As his obituary said, Vance was full of energy and life. I remember how he was the first diehard skateboarder I ever met. I believe his nickname was “Bones”. I also remember how he was like a little kid when he first started 3D modeling for Logitech; which allowed customers to physically see a prototype of their proposed product. Vance turned me on to “The Cure” and their music. I remember seeing Vance Years later and how he was so proud to share that he completed his MBA. I also remember being at his home in Niles Canyon…right near the Alameda Creek…because I drove by that area for years (later) when I commuted to/from the Bay Area and Roseville, CA. Rest in Peace, Vance. You’re a good man and your memory will live in all of us.