Henry Prados Pitard, Jr.

A memorial service celebrating the life of Henry Prados Pitard, Jr., 85, of West Monroe, Louisiana will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, July 17, 2025, in the chapel of Mulhearn Funeral Home, West Monroe.

The visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service.

Henry Prados Pitard, Jr. passed away surrounded by his loving family on July 12, 2025. Henry was born on September 22, 1939, in New Orleans, LA. He was the first-born child to Henry, Sr. and Mary Cecilia Pitard. The family relocated to El Dorado, AR where Henry attended Holy Redeemer Catholic School before being sent to Subiaco Academy. Henry graduated from Subiaco Academy in 1957. After graduation, he joined the Air Force where he was invited to the technical training course for Aircraft Mechanic at Chanute AFB, Ill. Henry began boxing while in the Air Force and won several titles including Spain-Morocco District Boxing Champion and Outstanding Fighter Award.

After Henry was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he eventually settled down in Monroe, LA where he married and became the proud father to his four children. Henry was employed by the United States Postal Service until he retired. During this time, Henry returned to school and graduated from Northeast Louisiana University (ULM) with honors with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

Henry had many interests and hobbies, which included weightlifting. Henry earned the title of Louisiana Powerlifting Champion, World Masters (over 40) Powerlifting Champion, and power weightlifting world record holder.

Henry enjoyed using his business knowledge by investing in rental properties and in the stock market. Henry, having an entrepreneurial spirit, opened and co-owned The T-Shirt Factory with his son for many years.

Henry married his beloved wife, Kathy, in 1999 and they settled down in their home by the lake in West Monroe, where they enjoyed many days out on the dock or rocking on the back porch with their faithful furry companion, Lucy.

Henry was a man of many words and loved entertaining his family and friends with his stories. Henry always had a song in his heart and often sang during family gatherings. Henry loved being surrounded by his family where he would put his hobby of photography to use, taking many, many pictures anytime family was gathered around.

Henry is preceded in death by his parents, Henry Prados, Sr. and Mary Cecilia Pitard; sister, Lucie Bellew; brother, Toddy Pitard, Sr.; and granddaughter, Alaura Pitard.

Survived by his loving wife, Kathy; sons, John Pitard, Steven (Meredith) Pitard, and David Pitard; daughter, Mary (Gideon) Turner; step-daughters, Amy (Aaron) Carlson and Marcie (Mae) Hayden; grandchildren, Brandon (Jessica) Holloway, Karen Turner, Gabby (Ben) Reid, Tristyn, Ivy, Carter, and Chloe Pitard, Shelby, Aaron, Jr., and Carly Sue Carlson; and great-grandchildren, Joshua and Destiny Holloway, Brydan, Piper, and Serenity Turner and Evelyn, Grady, and Harper Reid; sister, Ceci (Calvin Matthews) and many cherished nieces and nephews.