Rev. Mario Romero will be the Celebrant of the Funeral Mass, con-celebrated by Rev. Mark Derise and Bishop Emeritus Michael Jarrell. Lectors will be Georgie Mouton and Donovan O’Pry and the Giftbearers will be his grandchildren. The Eulogist will be Keith Patin and Memories will be shared by Mr. Prejean’s children, Johnette P. Mansur, J. J. Prejean and Carol P. Dauterive.

Milton Resweber, accompanied on the organ by Joni Hamilton, and on the trumpets by Scotty Walker and Will Green, will sing for the Funeral Mass "The Old Rugged Cross", "Psalm 23", "Ave Maria", "Remember Me", "Prayer of St. Francis" and "J’irai la voir un jour".

Survivors include his wife of fifty-six years, Carolyn Mouton Prejean; two daughters, Johnette P. Mansur and her husband, Paul and Carol P. Dauterive and her husband, James; one son, Jonathan Jude "J. J." Prejean and his wife, Rachel; and eight grandchildren, Brice Mansur, Collin Mansur, Cassie Prejean, Claire Prejean, Carson Prejean, Andrew Dauterive, Celeste Dauterive and Sadie Rose Dauterive. He was preceded in death by his parents, Emick and Noella Martin Prejean and one sister, Laura P. Credeur.

Mr. Prejean was a native and lifelong resident of rural Scott, LA, graduating as Salutatorian from Scott High School in the Class of 1955. He received his Bachelor of Arts Degree(1958) and Master ?30 Degree(1962) from the University of Southwestern Louisiana. He proudly served his country for ten years in the Louisiana National Guard, 156th Infantry Division-Medical Company. A member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Community, Mr. Prejean was a Trustee, a charter lector and lifetime member of the Holy Name Society, serving the church parish for sixty plus years. Mr. Prejean received the Bishop’s Service Award in 2018. He was a former Knights of Columbus Third and Fourth Degree.

Mr. Prejean had a passion for education. He provided thirty-four consecutive years of service to the Lafayette Parish School System and twenty-five consecutive years of service to Lafayette Elementary/Middle School as an administrator. An Adjunct Professor at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Mr. Prejean taught several semesters in University College evening classes in the College of Education. He was a Facilitator for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Self-Studies, as well as Louisiana Principal Internship Program and was the External Assessor of the Louisiana Teacher Assessment Program. Mr. Prejean was a supervisor of Student Teachers for twenty years and Coordinator of the Teacher Induction Program at USL. He was a former teacher of English and French at Carencro High School and was the Assistant Principal then Principal at Lafayette Middle School. A leader in the profession, Mr. Prejean was a member of several professional organizations, including the Louisiana Teachers’ Association, the Lafayette Parish Principals’ Association of which he was President in 1975, Acadiana Principals’ Association, Louisiana Association of School Executives the National Association of Secondary School Principals, Phi Delta Kappa-Lafayette(Past President and Advisor), Phi Kappa Phi, Association of Teacher Educators and the Acadiana Principals Association(Past President).

Mr. Prejean has overseen and taken part in many professional endeavors. He has been a member, chairperson, consultant, facilitator, coordinator and presenter of several different committees, studies, councils and workshops. He served as a member of the first statewide Shared Accountability Model Committee, presented workshops on accountability at both the local and state levels, and served as a member of the National Panel of Advisors for Memphis State University’s Department of Educational Administration and Supervision. In the area of curriculum, he initiated and piloted an alternative education program at Lafayette Middle School which continues to service students of the Lafayette Parish School System today. During his leadership at Lafayette Middle School, Mr. Prejean implemented a bilingual language program..

A recipient of numerous honors, he was selected outstanding administrator by the South Central Association of Elementary School Principals and received the Louisiana Association of School Executives Distinguished Award and named the Louisiana State Middle School Principal of the Year. Mr. Prejean was named one of fifty-three outstanding secondary school principals in the nation, Lafayette Parish Middle School Principal of the Year and Louisiana Middle/Junior High School Principal of the Year in recognition of outstanding instructional leadership on behalf of the Louisiana Department of Education. In 1987, he was awarded the honor of Outstanding Alumnus-Class of 1958-College of Education, USL and in 1993, received the Outstanding USL Alumni Award. In 2012, Mr. Prejean was awarded the USL College of Education Award for his outstanding leadership in the field of education and service to the University.

Mr. Prejean served our community, state and nation. His continued devotion to uphold and set standards in education displayed greatness in the field of education and overtime has contributed to the success of many people. He is a devoted husband, father and grandfather and has been a positive role model as a man of notable character, guiding peers and students alike. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him and loved him.

A Rosary will be prayed on Thursday at 7:00 PM led by Deacon Reggie Bollich.

Visitation will be held in Martin & Castille’s DOWNTOWN location on Thursday from 3:00 until 9:00 PM and from 8:00 AM until time of the services.

Pallbearers will be J. J. Prejean, Paul Mansur, James Dauterive, Grant Zimmerman, Keith Patin, John Hernandez, Jr., Rowdy Huval, Scotty Walker, Joe Courville, Donovan O’Pry, Chris Duplechin and Brian Schlesinger.

Honorary pallbearers will be Todd Allendorph, Brad Ardoin, David Arnaud, Marty Audifred, Gene Bacque, Art Bakeler, Jason Benoit, Stephen Benton, Troy Bergeron, Rodney Bodin, Jimmy Brasseaux, Dr. Carl Breaux, Jeff Breaux, Andre Broussard, Mark Broussard, Wes Castille, Ashton Chaisson, Byron Clark, Dr. James Clause, Steve Clavelle, Damon Cormier, Robert Cormier, Kevin Courville, Merlene Courville, Todd Courville, David Credeur, Elwood Credeur, Glenn Credeur, Gerald Cyprien, Leroy Cyprien, Jonathan Deblanc, R. T. Delhomme, Dot D. S. Derouen, Rick Dickerson, Kevin Dore, Larry Dore, Alton Duhon,Venice Duhon, Donald "T-Don" Dupuis,Tim Fawley, Mark Fleming, FND Group, George "Kip" Fontenot, Paul Fontenot, Jarrod Gardiner, Mike Gournay, Dr. Brian Granger, Chris Greneaux, Darren Guidry, Harold Guilbeau, John Guilbeau, Ken Guilbeau, Logan Guilbeau, Dave Hamilton,David Hardee, Michael Hardy, Dan Hare, Max Harrington, Lane Hazelwood, Don Hernandez, Don Higginbotham, Danny Hollier, Jr., Dr. Gus Ingraldi, Chad Judice, Phil Kerne, II, Michael Lajaunie, Glenn Landry, Todd Landry, Bill Lantier, Chad Leger, Dane Leger, Michael Leger, Huy Legion, Mark Lerille, Craig Martin, Dwayne Maritn, James Martin, Troy Martin, Justin McManus, David Meche, Buddy Melancon, Mark Melancon, Mike Menard, Paul Alvin Miller, Dr. Mike Mounir, Charles Mouton, Cory Mouton, Joey Mouton, Larry Mouton,Jr., Jason Muller, Richard Nunez, Keith Patin, Dustin Pelloquin, Conner Poirrier, Felix Potier, Johnny Prejean, Ronnie Prejean, Wayne Prejean, Jan-Scott Richard, Terry Richard, Steve Riley, Roy Rogers, Scott High School Class of 1955, Blake Segura, Jake Sloan, Blaze Sonnier, Ronnie Sonnier, Ted Stanley, Randy Stoute, Cliff Tanner, Herb Thayer, Kenny Tillman, Jr. ,Jim Trahan, Jude Trahan,Nick Usie, Brian Veillon, Duane Veillon, Gene Veillon, Mark Viator, and Bart Vitte.

Memorial contributions in Mr. Prejean’s name may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, 1110 Old Spanish Trail, Scott, LA 70583.

View the obituary and guestbook online at www.mourning.com

Martin & Castille-DOWNTOWN, 330 St. Landry Street, Lafayette, LA 70506, 337 234-2311.

It was a pleasure to work with John Allen in the Student Teaching Program at the university. One could not visit with him for very long and not sense his dedication to all phases of education. It was especially rewarding when some of our children who were educators were able to work with him in various capacities.

Please click here for the Recognition Program for the College of Education Academic Showcase on Nov. 14, 1998.
John Allen is one of the Centennial Honorees and his entry in included in the alphabetical listing of the honorees.

Click here for the College of Education Academic Showcase page in the University Digital Archives, then select either the video page for oral histories or the Book of Letters.