Palestine High School Alumni Association

Frankie Dodd Novak

Frankie Dodd Novak

Frankie Dodd Novak 1940
Born 03-17-1920
Died 10-07-2004
Age  84

“And how he loved to talk.”

Frankie Dodd Novak, 84, passed away on October 7, 2004, in the Napa Valley area of California. His body was cremated and the ashes scattered in the Pacific Ocean where he had loved to fish.

He was born March 17, 1920, in Jacksonville, Texas to John and Rebecca Annis Johnson Novak.

Prior to moving to California, Mr. Novak was a long time resident of Palestine. He graduated from Palestine High School in 1940. He joined the Navy and subsequently served as a bomber pilot in both World War II and Korea. His Naval career spanned a total of 17 years in which he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Following his military career he worked as a general contractor in the Novato, California area with his brother, John; later starting his own business, Frank Novak Construction.

In 1988, Mr. and Mrs. Novak relocated to Palestine then returned to California in 1997.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, John and Bob.

Mr. Novak is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara Jean Roy Novak of Rohnert Park, Calif.; daughters, Rebecca Harte and Pamela Warfield, both of Calif.; sons, Sam Novak of Calif. and Frankie D. Novak Jr. of Ariz.; siblings, Richie, Willie, James, and Geneva; 15 grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Margie Roy Bernard and Laverne Stains Roy, both of Palestine.

Source: Palestine Herald-Press 10-10-2004