Gary Novak

Gary Paul Novak was born in Houston, TX, on November 14th, 1955, to Leona and John Dennis Novak. He was called back home by his Savior on February 8, 2026, at the age of 70.

Although born in Houston, he enjoyed getting out to the country more than anything and spent many of his early years visiting family, hunting, riding motorcycles, and knocking around the Yoakum and Shiner area where his parents' Czech and German families originally settled. It was his connection with the land from those times that played a central role in shaping Gary's personality and interests.

Gary attended Strake Jesuit and received accolades in track but was more interested in fast cars and chasing exciting experiences. It was at Jesuit where he met his bride to be, Karen, on a blind date and when he would later come to realize he attended 2nd grade with her (unknowingly at the time) many years prior at Holy Ghost. Not long after meeting, they married in Houston and honeymooned in Mexico where he fit in plenty of surfing, one of his many outdoor hobbies.

Only a few years into their 50-year marriage, Gary's life trajectory took a sharp turn when his father passed away unexpectedly. Being the eldest sibling, he was thrust into a role at age 24 that essentially made him the breadwinner. With John Paul on the way that year in 1981, Gary took the reigns of Buffalo Glass, his father's business. There he honed his craft of making custom glassworks and often would use the shop to build upon the woodworking skills he learned spending summers in Yoakum with his Uncle Benny, the cowboy. Woodworking became one of the biggest outlets that gave him focus, peace, and a means to pour his heart and soul into special gifts for others. At his shop he shared the gift of giving by teaching his kids how to make picture frames from reclaimed fence wood and put his craftsmanship on display for co-workers as well. He taught others by collaborating on their own projects and proved his mentorship was patient and thorough. Nobody, however, could replicate his unique style and ability to create intricate pieces like he did without ever sketching plans. That was just one of many manifestations of Gary's hidden talents and the humility present in all facets of his life.

He took the same approach at his garage workbench at home, where a slew of custom projects, both functional and aesthetic, came to life. Aside from bespoke armoires and furniture Karen would envisage, he created a double-decker tree house for the kids (no rails needed of course), a backyard deck, custom adjustable basketball goal, countless bike and skateboard ramps, not to mention the legendary quarter-pipe. He was DIY before DIY was DIY, often finding a way to get things done with whatever means he had on hand, and he always had the perfect shim to tighten up anything a little loose. His attention to detail and precision carried over into his lust for life, where he was no stranger to calculated risk-taking in the lifelong pursuit of fun. On family (+friend) ski trips, you'd always find him skiing in jeans if not shorts just "pointing'em downhill". He literally paved the way for his sons to know the same, a go big or go home mentality.

When he wasn't immersed in a project at the moment, you could often find him grilling and chilling outside, hosting family and friends. His deep passion for hunting led him to build duck blinds and create perfect wetland habitat for waterfowl. "The Pipeline" was him and his cousin Buzz's pride and joy, a gathering place to connect with the natural world outside of the hustle and bustle of the city and where you'd hear him belt out more of his classic lines like "lock 'n load!" The bounty from the hunt would be on display whenever there was a good sports event on TV, the perfect opportunity to grill up bacon-wrapped duck and dove from the hunt along with ribs, sausage, shrimp, and Karen's specially marinaded chicken. He brought everyone together in ways nobody else could. Everyone loved to come by and hang out around the pit. His classic greetings like "Hey cowboy!!" or an open-armed spook yelling "TUAHHH!!" while aggressively jumping out from behind the wall made everyone drop their guard and feel like family if they weren't already. However, to him everyone was family. Although you knew Gary was capable of giving you a hard time at any moment to lighten things up, you knew it came from love. He was an undeniable embodiment of light and love in its deepest, most natural sense, but he didn't think twice about it. He was 100% second nature, living in the moment.

He was who he was, and when you were listening to his favorite tunes you saw Gary's true colors as bright as the sun. Anyone who knew him for 30 minutes heard at least one "line" from whatever songs he was playing most at that time. He unapologetically would repeat the same lyrics from a song sometimes 15x a day, so much that you knew when it was coming and you'd join right in. Those were the best moments shared with Gary. To rock 'n roll alongside him was truly living in the here and now. He had a profound effect on his kids, John Paul and Lange, by taking them to Tom Petty, Rush, and Jethro Tull concerts early in their lives and gave them the gift of understanding how music, lyrics, dancing and self-expression can be therapeutic and liberating. To rock with Gary was to know Gary, and this had a ripple effect. He and Karen's warm personalities ultimately led their house to be one of the de facto hang out spots for their kids' friends. Everyone was always welcome (as long as they were cool and could "shoot some stick"). Some of the best times with Gary were gathered around the pool table playing 9-ball and "cutthroat", singing the lyrics of Traveling Wilburys, The Who, Neil Young and Marshall Tucker Band in unison. So many of their kids' friends thought of him as family because he was so casual, unedited and easy to talk to. He wore his heart on his sleeve.

If you knew him closely, you knew he wasn't too big on church, likely from having attended so many Catholic Masses throughout grade and high school. But more importantly, he walked a faithful walk in the ways of Jesus. One would often hear him mutter the phrase "one day at a time sweet Jesus" when he was experiencing one of life's many hardships. Although he liked to do things in his own way, he lived a selfless life from an early age. He had a heart of gold with a deep-seated moral compass, habitually giving without being worried about repayment. Many people will never know how many selfless acts of his made a big difference in others' lives, but he didn't think twice about it. These were acts that gave his life purpose and meaning.

After over 40 years of carrying on the Buffalo Glass legacy, Gary and Karen were ready for a change of pace in 2016. It was time he hung it up and moved to the quiet side of the hill country in Horseshoe Bay. He didn't have a grand plan but he talked of focusing on woodworking and maybe toying with golf again. He did a little of both but ultimately found his peace taking daily sunset golf cart rides with Karen and their dog Wally, inviting his favorite neighbors over to shoot the breeze on the porch, and having the kids and grandkids up for visits. He continued his love of teaching them as he did with his own kids, about how things work or how to put toys together. In Horseshoe Bay he savored these moments more in the context of a slower life. There was more time for long talks and catching up without the long to-do sticky notes, which was good for him. After 4 years in Horseshoe Bay, he began to show strong signs of dementia, which prompted an urgent move back to Houston. Although he did not get to spend as much time as he liked after leaving the grind of the "big sh***y" (as he called it) he was able to change gears for a bit and still convince old friends to "come on by!". Gary was a gentle giant with a generous spirit that resonated with all people he made friends with, and especially his family. He was a man who valued quality more than quantity and impacted others in direct ways that had a lasting impact. For that reason, his spirit will live on as an "Unknown Legend", just like Neil Young referenced in one of his favorite songs.

Apart from his loving wife Karen and two sons, "Go-ree" is survived by his doting grandchildren Georgia, Knox, Christopher, Nash and Wyatt-Grey, as well as his loving daughter-in-law Amanda (Lange), sister Denise and husband Maurice and their children Taylor and Monica, sisters Shonda, Anna and husband Casper, Lisa and husband Rich, and brother James, his wife Kim, and their children Luke, Sam, and Hannah.

An honorary celebration of Gary will be held to share stories in a final toast to his life - details to follow soon.
The family encourages any donations to be made to the Alzheimer's Association.


Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8