Victor L. Novak

Victor Louis Novak, 87, of Yoakum, passed away Tuesday, December 26, 2023.
A rosary will be recited at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, January 3, 2024 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, with the Rev. Matthew Huehlefeld officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home, Yoakum.
He was born on September 9, 1936, in Shiner, to the late Victor and Emily (Janacek) Novak. His father died before Victor’s birth, and his mother, Emily, then married Paul Klekar, who raised and loved Victor as his own.
“Vic” as most people knew him, graduated from St. Edward’s High School in Austin in 1954.  He graduated from St. Edwards University Magna Cum Laude in 1958 with a B.S. in Biology, and then entered pharmacy school at The University of Texas where he graduated receiving high honors in 1961.  In 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he held the rank of 1st Lieutenant.
Vic married the love of his life, Marjorie Brom in 1957 and were inseparable ever since. Vic was a staple of the community where he worked as a pharmacist at City Drug Store for almost 50 years. He was also an active member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church where he was a eucharistic minister, lector, and choir member. After his retirement, you could find Vic watching Shiner Comanche football games cheering on his grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Marjorie Novak of Yoakum; son, John Paul Novak of Conroe; daughter, Mary Beth Wagner and husband Shane of Hutto; four grandchildren, Faith Wagner, Christian Wagner, John Paul Novak Jr. and Makenna Novak; sister, Andrea Lasseter and husband Gene of Austin; and a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Paul Klekar; and brother, Dennis Klekar.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.