Alvin Dwain Novak

Alvin (Al) Dwain Novak passed away at his home at Lake Leon on December 29, 2023.
Al was born to Jess and Lola Novak on January 5, 1932. He attended schools in Laurel and Peru, Nebraska. At the age of 17 he volunteered in the Army and was trained as a teletype repairman. He served in the Korean War and was additionally attached to the British and other country’s troops to do their teletype repairs. This work covered the entire Korean Peninsula as needed to do the work. While serving he received the Merit Unit Emblem, Korean Services Medal w/5 Bronze Stars and a UN Service Medal. Upon receiving his discharge in Albuquerque, NM he became employed by McClellan’s 5&10 cent store as an assistant manager which began a lifetime career. He was transferred to Harlingen and Laredo, TX, Wichita, KS, Memphis, TN, Greenville, MS. He then became a store manager and was transferred to Arkansas City, KS. After McClellan’s was sold to McCrory’s, he resigned and began working for TG&Y in Oklahoma City. Later he resigned from them and began his tenure in Plainview, TX later serving in Abilene, Seymour, Stephenville, back to Seymour and then came to his beloved Eastland, TX in 1974. After many years they transferred him to Dallas and then to Odessa, TX where he and Janice both retired on May31, 1997. They returned to their beloved home at Lake Leon. He loved being at home and took great pride in remodeling their home and keeping the yard in tiptop shape.
He met his beloved wife, Janice Richardson, (from Carbon TX), in Harlingen, Texas and they were married December 3, 1954, in Combes, TX. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on December 3, 2023. To this marriage two daughters, Deborah Ann, Patricia Fay, and one son, Harry Dwain Novak were born.
Survivors include his wife, Janice, Deborah Ann Gourley, Paticia Fay Novak-Lybbert, and Harry Dwain Novak.
He was a beloved Papa to seven grandchildren – Kelly Gourley Pope, Lane and Josh Gourley, Drew and Dusty Mahan, and Heather and Allison Novak.
He was a proud Papa for four great grandchildren – Lillian and Abigail Mahan, Ezra Pope, and Ash Novak, and one step-grandson Antonio Thomas.
He was also survived by a nephew Michael Richardson and wife Beverly and daughter Maggie Faber, Letta Nathan, and husband Neil, and 3 daughters, Tiffany, Tosha College, and Madison Nathan.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother Frank, and a sister Karen.
He was a faithful member of the Eastland Methodist Church and served on many boards. He was involved in the community belonging to the Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce and Eastland Band Boosters. He was a very “famed and faithful coffee drinker” at Eastland Drug and Louise’s Café
All are invited to celebrate his life with his family at a memorial service on January 22, 2024, at 2:00 pm at the Eastland Methodist Church with Dale Wilbanks officiating followed by burial at the Eastland Cemetery.
In lieu of flower, memorials may be made to Eastland Methodist Church, 215 South Mulberry Street, or any charitable organization of your choice.