Morris Joseph Novak

Morris was born on October 26, 1936 in Houston, Texas. He was raised in South Central Texas and graduated from Yoakum High School in 1955. He attended the University of Houston and served in the US Army from 1958-1964 and attained the rank of Sergeant. After his stint in the army, he worked at DuPont Chemical Company in LaPorte, Texas and Amoco in Texas City as a pipefitter and welder. He retired in 2001 after a twenty-year career as a supervisor with Oasis Oil in North Africa (Libya).

Morris served and was involved with many organizations and enjoyed serving others, particularly barbecuing for special events. He was a member of the Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jay-Cees) in Pasadena, Texas where he earned several achievement awards and obtained the title of Senator. He was a member of the United Methodist Men (UMM) at Asbury United Methodist Church in Pasadena, Texas. In his retirement years, he belonged to the Cape Royale Boating and Civic Associations in Coldspring, Texas and UMM at Coldspring United Methodist Church.

Not only did Morris enjoy cooking and barbecuing, he was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed hunting, scuba diving, boating, and traveling with his wife and family. He liked to garden and had quite a green thumb. Morris loved his schnauzer, Sergeant.

Morris was preceded in death by his mother, Marie Svoboda Pilzner, his sister Ginger Novak Dryer, brother-in-law Ronald Dryer, and stepfather Ed Pilzner. He is survived by Betty Novak, his loving wife of 57 years, daughter Kimberly Novak McGough, son- in- law John McGough, grandchildren Emily Allen and Jacob McGough, sister Linda Vaclavik, brother-in-law Jimmie Vaclavik, and Goddaughter Sheri Bickham, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.