David Novak

David James Novak, 74 passed away peacefully at his home in Midlothian, Texas on Saturday December 3rd at 5:25 PM in the evening surrounded by loved ones.

David was born in Detroit Michigan on September the 9th, 1948 to James & Lois Novak.  As a boy David’s family moved to Edinburg, Ohio.  During his years attending Southeast High School he met the love of his life Nancy Sue Lee.  In 1968 David Joined the United States Army serving in the First Armored Division “Old Ironsides” in the Vietnam War.  David and Nancy were married not long after David completed boot camp.  In 1970 David and Nancy’s first child Christina Marie Novak was born and soon after David returned from Vietnam where David and Nancy resided at Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas.  From there David and Nancy returned to Ravenna Ohio in 1971 where they were blessed with a second daughter, Kimberly Sue Novak.

In 1980 David and his family moved to Spring, Texas where he worked as a master machinist in Tomball, Texas.  Later David went to Realtor School and ultimately became a Top Realtor for REMAX Realtors in Houston, Texas.    Due to David’s tenacious work ethic and commitment to excellence, he was able to retire at the age of 42.  David and Nancy purchased a Motor Home and traveled all over North America and enjoyed retirement for several years.  Later David and Nancy settled down in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas where they built and operated a first-class Kennel “The Double N”.   David also took a job at The University of Texas Pan AM where he served as an instructor for the engineering department.  David enjoyed teaching and could not stay retired, he needed purpose and teaching the students at the university was his dream job and he enjoyed doing it very much.  Later David and Nancy moved to North Padre Island, Texas where he once again retired and enjoyed many years of fishing and woodworking.

Due to health conditions David and Nancy moved from south Texas to Midlothian, Texas in August 2017 to be near their daughter Christina and her Husband Marc.  In June of 2018 David and Nancy celebrated 50 years of marriage.  In the final five years of David’s life, he continued to teach his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren all sorts of life lessons.  From wood working skills to tying fishing knots, financial investments to paint by number.  David was a master at everything he did.  David was an accomplished hunter, fisherman, machinist and carpenter.  His true love though was his wood working from his lathe.  David crafted some of the finest pieces of wooden bowls and sculptures you’ll ever see.   David Novak was a giant of a man, he meant so much to everyone that knew him.  His shoes will be impossible to fill, however, we all rejoice in knowing we will see him again in the kingdom of heaven.

David was preceded in death by his father James Peter Novak, his mother Lois Marie Novak (Turskey) his sister Diane Marie Porter (Novak)

David is survived by his wife, Nancy Sue Novak of Midlothian, Texas, brother Douglas Novak of Louisiana, brother Dennis Novak of Ohio, brother Dwayne Novak of Ohio, brother Dale Novak of Ohio, Daughter Christina Marie Smith, Son in Law Marc S. Smith of Texas, daughter Kimberly Sue Goerke, Son in law David Calvin Goerke of Florida, Granddaughter Casey-Marie Bennett and husband Jeremy Bennett of Tennesee, Angela Hellriegel and husband Joseph Hellriegel of Florida, grandson Travis Stephen Smith and wife Camrin Smith of Texas, Grandson David Calvin Goerke “Bud” and wife Felicity Goerke of Florida and 12 great grandchildren.

At the request of the Novak family, charitable contributions in the name of David James Novak can be made to Heros of Midlothian Foundation http://www.heroesofmidlothian.org /