Robert "Bob" Prejean

1924 - 2017

Robert L. "Bob" Prejean Jr.

October 8, 1924 - December 31, 2017

Donaldsonville

Robert L. "Bob" Prejean, Jr.

Born in Belle Rose LA, Oct. 8, 1924, and passed away peacefully at home in Donaldsonville LA, Dec. 31, 2017, as one of the oldest WWII veterans in the area. He is survived by eight children, Rebecca (& Dusty) May, Atlanta GA; Vivian P. Holder, Gulfport MS; Michael Prejean, Baton Rouge LA; Pat (& Dorothy) Prejean, Lafayette LA; Lee (& Shirley Adams) Prejean, Lafayette LA; Steven (& Cookie) Prejean, Baton Rouge LA; Jeffrey Prejean, Atlanta GA; and Bennie (& Dr. Luis Limeres) Prejean, Atlanta GA; former son-in-law W. F. Holder II, Gulfport MS; and former daughter-in-law Jill Miglicco Prejean, Atlanta GA. Ten grandchildren – Robert (& Ashleigh) May, Greenville SC; Travis May, Atlanta GA; Robert (& Kacey) Holder, Fairhope AL; Heather (& Vas) Holder Poluru, Dallas TX; Morgan Holder, Gulfport MS; Candace (& Dustin) Prejean Naquin, Maurice LA; Derek (& Shawna) Prejean, Maurice LA; Ross & David Dies (& their mother Laura), Shreveport LA; Mia Scherer, New Orleans LA. 11 great-grandchildren – Easton May, Greenville SC; Farrah Holder, Gulfport MS; Walker & Davis Holder, Fairhope AL; Riels Holder, Hattiesburg MS; Verlaine-Maya Poluru, Dallas TX; Alexis & Dylan Naquin, Maurice LA; Payton, Zade, & Zeph Prejean, Maurice LA; one great great-grandchild Grayden Lassabe, Gulfport MS.; four first cousins; former wife Joan Boisvert Rogers and stepdaughter Michelle Cardwell Eroche; seven nieces & nephews, and his beloved canine buddies, Hero and Bear.

Preceded in death by Mildred "Tee" Falcon Prejean, first wife and mother of his eight children; sister Barbara P. (& Bennie) Boudreaux, Raceland LA; brother Fred C. (& Isabelle) Prejean, Belle Rose LA, and longtime companion Meredith Landrum Nichols, Laurel MS.

Bob was the son of Robert L. & Irene Thibodeaux Prejean, Sr.; grandson of Sylvere & Clara Truxillo Prejean and Dr. O.J. (& Agathe Celestin) Thibodeaux.

Bob graduated from Belle Rose High in 1941, at age 16 attended UL-Lafayette 1941-43, served three years in 3rd Army Air Force 1943-46, at LSU-BR earned a B.S. Commercial Aviation in 1948 and a Masters in Commerce in 1949. He started his automobile career at Capital City Ford Baton Rouge 1950-52, then joined Bubba Oustalet Ford Lincoln Mercury in Jennings LA 1952-59, then moved to Bubba Oustalet Ford in Gulfport MS as V.P. & Managing Partner 1959-75. From 1975-1998, he operated Bob Prejean Ford Mercury in Paincourtville LA ("Where in the world is Paincourtville?") From 2006 until his death, he had a second career as Sales Executive at the Donaldsonville Chief, Louisiana's oldest continuous weekly newspaper. In 2012, he ranked #12 nationally out of 750 marketing and sales reps for Gatehouse Media.

Bob's professional and community involvements included: President of the Miss. Gulf Coast Automobile Dealers Assn., Board of Directors of the Miss. Automobile Dealers Assn., President of Miss. Gulf Coast Young Men's Business Club, President of Gulfport Gridiron Club, Board of Directors of the Salvation Army Gulfport, Board of Directors Gulfport Chamber of Commerce, President of Donaldsonville Rotary Club, American Legion Oncale-Solar Post 88 in Napoleonville LA, VFW Montalbano-Sentille Post 3766 in Donaldsonville LA, and 17 years on the Southern Quality Ford Dealers Advertising Assn. Board of Directors. He also furnished vehicles to the LSU Football Coaches for 17 years.

Bob was recruited, trained, and schooled to be a Ford dealer by A.J.M. "Bubba" Oustalet II, his close personal friend and mentor. Bob owes what success he has enjoyed to Bubba's sincere interest in Bob's career and welfare. After Bubba's death, Bob remained close to the 10 Oustalet children, particularly to Bubba's oldest son, Butch, who also had taken the same interest in Bob's well-being.

Pallbearers will be his six sons. Honorary pallbearers are champion Booster Breaux, friend Lindy Callahan, colleague Nicky Carrier, confidante A.J.M. "Butch" Oustalet III, godson Jimmy Oustalet, advocate Joel Phillip Oustalet, & attorney/CPA Jess Waguespack.

Bob wished to thank his supportive work family and clients at the Donaldsonville Chief, his Donaldsonville Rotary Club friends, and his helpful Crescent Place community, especially his next-door neighbors John & Laverne Capone and Randy & Jan Mast.

Visitation will be at Ourso Funeral Home, Donaldsonville LA, on Saturday, January 6, from 9am, ending with a short memorial service at 11:30 a.m. Interment immediately afterwards at St. Jules Catholic Cemetery, Belle Rose LA, followed by a reception in the St. Jules Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations are recommended to the Ochsner Dept. of Philanthropy, Ascension Catholic Church Donaldsonville, St. Jules Catholic Church Belle Rose, or the charity of your choice.