Former Wyandotte County Commissioner Julius G. Novak, 97, died Aug. 16, 2015.
Novak served as Wyandotte County assessor from 1969 until 1971, when he was appointed county commissioner. In 1993, he was elected as a state representative from the 36th District in western Wyandotte County.
A lifelong resident of Kansas City, Kan., Novak was a decorated combat veteran of World War II and a real estate executive.
He was born into the Strawberry Hill community. His parents, Anna and Fred Novak, immigrated separately to the United States through Ellis Island in 1907. They met and married in Kansas City, Kan., in 1910. Julius’ father died in 1924. His mother died in 1933 and her cousin, Anna Kramer, raised Julius, his sisters Emma and Rose, and brother Fred in Strawberry Hill.
Novak enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1940 at age 22. He served until wounded on Guadalcanal in November 1942. He was later awarded the Purple Heart.
Julius and Marge were married in 1946. They raised their three children, Judy, Jay and Nancy, in Wyandotte County. In 1948, Novak began his real estate career in KCK as an independent broker and appraiser.
Novak is survived by his son, Jay Novak, of the home, daughter Judy (Rob) Black, Lenexa, granddaughter Anne (Andy Wright) Black, Lenexa, sister Rose Bartkoski, Kansas City, Kan., niece Carol (Karl) McCarty, Lenexa, nephew Joseph Dragosh, Mission, nephew Ed (Rosie) Bartkoski, Wichita, nephew Roger (Kay) Novak. He is survived by great-grandchildren Addie, Thomas, and Vincent, and many great-nieces and nephews.
He was pre-deceased by his wife of fifty years, Marge, daughter Nancy, brother Fred, and sister Emma.
Novak was a founding parishioner of Christ the King Church. His visitation will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Christ the King Church with a Mass at 11 a.m. The family suggests donations to Christ the King Church, 3024 N. 53rd St., Kansas City, Kan., or Strawberry Hill Museum, 720 N. 4th St., Kansas City, Kan., 66101.
Arrangements by Butler Meyers Funeral Home, www.marybutlermeyers.com.