Jay G. Novak

Jay is remembered fondly as a son, brother, uncle, great uncle, co-worker, and friend.

Jay graduated from Washington High School in 1972. Jay accepted a position at KCKCC, where he served dutifully in the maintenance department for 36 years. Jay was most adored by his mother and cared for his father in his later years. Jay was always a jokester, playing “gimme five” games with his niece and great niece and nephews when they were children. Jay loved his morning coffee and people watching routine at QuikTrip in his signature red truck.

Jay is preceded in death by his parents-Julius and Marge Novak, his sister-Nancy Novak Fox, and his very best friend in the whole wide world, Mark Crowley. Jay and Mark were inseparable for nearly their entire lives. The family rejoices that Jay and Mark are eternally reunited and will be buried next to each other. Sophia Hollister/Crowley and the entire Crowley family were so important to Jay; he spent many Friday Nights and Holidays with them. Jay and Mark had an inside joke about bar tabs, saying “the next one’s on you,” always ensuring another round. Jay also adored his friends at Perry Lake. He spoke very fondly to his family about his Holiday weekends at the lake.

Jay is survived by his sister Judy (Rob) Black of Lenexa, his niece Anne Black (Andy Wright) of Lenexa, and his three great niece and nephews-Addie Lake of Sacramento, CA, Thomas & Vincent Guccione of Lawrence, as well as a host of beloved cousins and extended family.

A service to honor Jay’s life will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, July 28, 2025, at Chapel Hill Butler Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, Kansas 66112. A gathering for friends and family will begin at 10:30 am.