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Former Louisiana Secretary of State Al Ater, 63, died peacefully May 21, 2017, in Houston, Texas. In addition to serving as Secretary of State, he was a longtime public servant and worked tirelessly for the betterment of Louisiana. Al had many business as well as political interests. First and foremost he was a farmer and steward of the land. His Lakeland Planting Co. farmed corn, cotton, soybeans and rice in several parishes of northeast Louisiana. Services for Mr. Alan Ray Ater will be Friday, May 26, 2017 at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church in Natchez, MS, at 11 am. The Rev. John Kramer will officiate. The family will receive friends on Friday for visitation from 9 am - 11 am at the church. Interment will follow services at Natchez City Cemetery Natchez, MS., under direction of Young's Funeral Home, Ferriday. Born in Decatur, Illinois, on December 15, 1953, Al was the youngest of five children of Donald Edward Ater and the former Ruth Lavonne Chapman. Al Ater graduated in 1971 from Huntington High School in Ferriday and attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches. At age 29, Mr. Ater was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives, District 21, and served from 1984-1997. In 2001, he was named Secretary of State Fox McKeithen's first assistant. He then worked as first deputy in the Department of Insurance for a year before returning to the Secretary of State's office. Following Mr. McKeithen's death, Mr. Ater served his state as Secretary of State and in 2010 retired from statewide political office, in order to focus on his primary passion of farming and family. In addition to his farming interests, he served on the boards of the Concordia Parish Farm Bureau, Catalyst Energy in Vidalia, Louisiana School Employees Retirement System, Louisiana Tourist Development Commission, Louisiana Workmen's Compensation, Second Injury Board, Governor's Advisory Council on Disability Affairs, International Association Corporation Administrators, and the National Association of Secretaries of State. He was elected to the Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame in 2009. Parents Donald Edward and Lavonne Ater and sister Kay Ater Goeggle predeceased Mr. Ater. Mr. Ater is survived by his wife of 32 years, Susie Beard Ater; daughter, Whitney Lauren Ater; two sons, Thomas Ater and wife Rivers and Elliott Ater; grandsons, Soren Riker, Kai Riker, and Benton Ater; granddaughters, Maya Fuentes and Graciela Fuentes; brother, Donald Ater, sister, Lynette Ater Tanner and husband Buddy, brother, Edward Ater and wife Mignonne. He is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be his nephews, John Goeggle, Jeff Goeggle, John Branton, Don Branton, Dan Ater, Lance Byrd, Alan Byrd, and Preston Beard. Memorials may be made to Jefferson Street United Methodist Church-building fund, PO Box 862, Natchez, MS 39121. To leave an online condolence for the family please visit www.youngsfh.com.
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God Bless you all,
We understand the hurt that reminds us each year.
Mike and Jeannette Krodel
Mike and Jeannette Krodel
Family
May 17, 2023
To the family, I'm so sorry for the loss of your love one, may the loving support of your family, friends and prayers sustain you through this very difficult time.. Psalms 29:11
May 25, 2017
My heart goes out to you in your time of sorrow. May God's promise of providing escape from death in the future sustain the family in your time of grief.(psalms 68:20).
May 24, 2017
Family and friends are so very important at this time of great loss. Come together in love and give support were needed - 1 Thessalonians 5:14. With my condolences.
B B
May 24, 2017
So sorry for the Loss of your dear loved one.
May 24, 2017
Al was always a good friend to the Registrars of Voters. He will be greatly missed by all. Angie Sandifer
LaSalle Parish Registrar
May 24, 2017
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends - condolences.
Mike and Jeannette Krodel
Sun City Center, Florida
Mike & Jeannette Krodel
May 24, 2017
I'm so sorry for your loss, please accept my condolences. know that you're not alone because the God of comfort gives us a wonderful hope to see our love ones again.
Charlotte Willis
May 24, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Ater family for your loss. May you find comfort in the God of all comfort because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:6,7
Steve
May 23, 2017
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Young's Funeral Home - Ferriday609 North E.E. Wallace Blvd., Ferriday, LA 71334
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