Howard was born into a sharecropper family in Church Point, Louisiana on September 1 0, 1946 and passed away on June 29, 2025. He graduated from Church Point High School and from the University of Southwestern Louisiana (Now University of Louisiana at Lafayette) with a degree in Business Administration. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Tara Prejean; his sister, Nelda Durbin; children: Kerry Prejean (Debbie) of Katy, TX, Lynette Zumo (Shannon) of Denham Springs, LA, Kelly Prejean (Matthew Bishop) of Zachary, LA and step-son Jonathan Nelson (Kailey) of Baton Rouge. He is survived by ten grandchildren: Stacey Zumo of Washington DC, Josh Prejean of Denham Springs, Mathew Zumo of Gonzales, Brittany Olinde of Baton Rouge, Candice Shoaf of Katy, TX, Brooke Roberts of Livingston, LA, Breanna Olinde of Central, LA, Adam Prejean of Gonzales, Bralynn Olinde of Central and (anticipated) Adalynne Paige Nelson of Baton Rouge, LA. He is also survived by four great-grandchildren: London Prejean of Denham Springs, Sydney Prejean of Denham Springs, Casey Zumo of Salyersville, KY, and Emery Mackey of Baton Rouge; and nieces Lynn Bourque (Josh) and Brandy Bonney. Howard was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Edward and Bertha Jaubert Prejean, and his maternal grandparents, Adelus and Agelie Collegen Rivette; his parents, Emery and Louisiana Rivette Prejean; brother, John Lester Prejean; brother-in-law, Glenn Durbin; father-in-law John Nelson and mother-in-law Ruth Naomi Nelson. Upon graduation from the University of Southwestern Louisiana Howard went to work for the Iberia Department of Public Welfare as a Welfare Visitor. He continued working at the agency for over 30 years and was promoted to various positions including Food Stamp Director, Child Support Director, and Medicaid Program Director. In 1984 he was promoted to the Deputy Assistant Secretary and from 1988 through 1996 he was appointed to the Assistant Secretary Position. At that time, he was responsible for the largest social service agency in Louisiana with approximately 4000 employees and a client population of approximately 750,000 recipients. In 1997 Howard retired from the Office of Family Support and established Prejean Consultants where he worked through 2005. He consulted with government and private agencies and lobbying effort. Clients included the Louisiana Horsemen Racing Association, Louisiana Department of Public Safety, and the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission and various private Medicaid entities. In October 2005, after Hurricane Karina Howard went to work for the United States Department of Agriculture as Deputy of Field Operations Director for the Southwest Region which includes Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. Howard had many accomplishments during his career. In 1977 he received the Charles Dunbar Service Award, which is the highest award provided to local and state career personnel in the State of Louisiana. Later that year he received the Louisiana Conference of Social Welfare Distinguished Service Award which is presented to individuals whose career has been instrumental in increasing the well-being of the citizens of Louisiana. The American Public Welfare Association (APWA) awarded Howard for leadership commitment to the issues and individuals served by APWA in 1991. He was an elected member of the National Board. In 1993 the United States Department of Agriculture awarded Howard the Quality of Service Award for Extraordinary Leadership in providing Food Stamp disaster relief for victims of Hurricane Andrew. In 1995 the Director of the Food and Nutrition Services awarded Howard the award for Excellence in Managing the Louisiana Food Stamp Program. He provided leadership and achieved one of the highest levels of payment accuracy in the Nation. The Louisiana Error rate went from 11.70 to 5.16. One of Howard's favorite accomplishments, something near and dear to his heart was his involvement in legislative changes which resulted in the creation of slot machine parlors at three racetracks in Louisiana on behalf of the Louisiana Horsemen Protective Association which has resulted in the development and improvement of the racing industry in Louisiana. And nearest and dearest to his heart his family. He thoroughly enjoyed assisting his children and grandchildren in sports. He assisted with coaching football and baseball. He coached with little league baseball teams his stepson played on that were sponsored by Broadmoor United Methodist Church. He also coached a Livingston Parish Peewee football team two of his grandsons participated in. And he went to softball games, football games, soccer games, dance recitals, tennis games and anything his grandchildren participated in and always cheering them on. The best part of every day was the time that he spent sitting with his wife Tara and talking about their love for each other and their family. Our family would like to thank Dr. Christopher McCanless, Alysia -NP, Shelly -RN of OLOL Oncology Group, Dr. Jeffery Kahn his internist for over 25 years with Baton Rouge Clinic and the best Home Health Nurse who became part of our family, Holly of Elara Home Care. Visitation will be at Rabenhorst Funeral Home East, 11000 Florida Blvd, on Tuesday, July 8, 2025, from 10am until service at 1pm, led by Rev. Tom Cook. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Gardens of Memory in Baker, LA.
