Al Prebula

Al Prebula, 63, of Sulphur died at 12:20 PM on Wednesday, October 6, 2010 in his residence.

Al retired from CITGO Petroleum Corporation in Houston, TX, in July 2006, where he served as Vice President of Refining with overall responsibility for CITGO's Lake Charles, Corpus Christi, and Chicago refineries. Prior to this assignment, Al was the Vice President of CITGO's Lake Charles Manufacturing Complex, the fourth largest refinery in the United States. Earlier, he was the Vice President of CITGO's Corpus Christi Refinery. Prior to joining CITGO in 1992, Al worked for Exxon Company USA and Exxon Company International in a number of managerial assignments. After retirement, Al continued his work as a refinery business consultant and most recently managed an acquisition study for a crude oil and asphalt refinery in the Gulf Coast and Southwest Louisiana area.

Al earned a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland and an M.B.A. from Rutgers University.

Al currently owned and operated LA Fitness Health Club in Lake Charles, and was President of Prebula Enterprises, LLC, and PGB, LLC.

During his eleven years in southwest Louisiana, Al was very active in the community. He was a past chairman of the SWLA Chamber of Commerce and past chairman of the United Way of SWLA. He also served as United Way campaign chairman and served on the United Way executive committee. Al served on various other boards, including the Louisiana Association of Business Industry, Mid-Continent Oil Gas Association, Lake Area Industry Alliance, and the Louisiana Chemical Industry Association (LCIA). He was state vice chair of LCIA and the chairman of LCIA region 4. Al was also a member of the McNeese State University industry advisory board and a board member of the SOWELA college foundations and Calcasieu Community Clinic.

Al enjoyed traveling, playing golf and spending time with his family and friends.

Al leaves behind his wife, Patricia Niel Prebula of Sulphur; a daughter, Megan Lehnhoff and husband Scott of San Antonio, TX; two step daughters, Kelli and Katelyn Hemphill of Lake Charles; and a brother, John S. Prebula and wife, Carol of Darnestown, MD. Additional survivors include: mother and father-in-law, Pat and Charles Niel of Lake Charles; brother and sister-in-law, Jeanne and Tony Gilbert of Katy, TX; brother-in-laws, Jim and Charles Niel both of Lake Charles; sister-in-law, Andrea Sauviac of Dallas, TX; several nieces and nephews; and his extended family and many friends from CITGO, Exxon, and throughout the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin William, Sr. and Margaret Korbini Prebula; his step mother, Marian Prebula; and his sister, Margie Prebula.

A funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Sulphur. The Rev. Aubrey Guilbeau will officiate. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Friday from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM with scripture service being held at 7:00 PM officiated by Deacon Glenn Viau. Visitation will continue on Saturday from 10:00 AM until 12:00 noon in the funeral home.

Pallbearers are Billy Navarre, Dick Gregory, John McMullen, Larry Avery, Richard Baggett, Barry Morrison, Adolph Lechtenberger, Joel Kieffer and Jimmy Cureton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to M.D. Anderson Brain Spine Center, 1515 Holcombe Boulevard, Houston, TX 77030-4009.