Charles L. and Joan Prather are waiting to find out what caused a helicopter to go down near Fulton last week, causing the death of the pilot - their son.
"We're not hearing anything," Joan Prather said Monday morning.
Their son, also named Charles, was an experienced pilot and 47-years-old. He was flying a helicopter that crashed about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday off Bartley Lane in an area east of Fulton used for riding off-road vehicles.
"According to different reports by witnesses, it (the helicopter) was in distress," his mother said. "He was a safety-conscious pilot."
The family also still waits for autopsy results and has planned his memorial service. There will be a visitation from 4-8 p.m. Wednesday at Kriegshauser Brothers West in the St. Louis area. Prather will be buried with military honors and a patriot guard Thursday in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis County, on the banks of the Mississippi River.
Prather worked as a phlebotomist, a skill acquired while serving the U.S. Navy. It paid the bills, but his real love was flying.
"He hated school; he did not like school, so he went into the military," Joan Prather said.
In the U.S. Navy, he spent four years in active service and about four years in the Reserves. While in his late 20s, he and his father came home from an air show and Charles said he wanted to become a pilot.
"All of a sudden, he had a pilot's license," Joan Prather added.
A fixed-wing aircraft pilot, Charles decided to continue his education.
"He got his bush pilot rating and was able to land on glaciers," his father said.
Through all of it, he continued his work as a phlebotomist and also served in the U.S. Air Force, deploying overseas several times. He spent every extra dollar on flying and flying lessons.
"That wasn't enough and he started flying helicopters," Rose Prather added. "He was trying to get his FAA test done within the next several weeks. He was going to have an FAA check ride. He was an accomplished pilot."
Charles also was a Civil War and World War II reenactor.
"It was a big part of his life," Joan said.
She added he retired this year from the Air Force Reserves.
"He was trying to devote most of his time to flying," she added. "He had plans (with a friend) to open some type of flying business."
As people who have suddenly lost loved ones know, weeks are spent being in shock and adjusting to loss. But the lucky ones get to say what Joan Prather said.
"Charles died doing what he loved," she stated. "But we don't know anything. It seems like someone would call. We do nothing but cry."