Ray J. Novak, 91, died on Monday, November 16, 2015, at Rapid City Regional Hospital Auxiliary Hospice House.

He was born in Omaha, NE, on February 11, 1924 to John and Angeline (Kros) Novak. He served in the US Navy from 1943-46.

Ray married Michelle April 27, 1968 at St Therese Church in Aurora, CO. Ray was a proud South Omaha boy! He still received the "Tutor" South High School Newspaper. He was an avid golfer and gardener and played many pranks on his family. He was proudest of his family and his Navel service during WWII in the South Pacific. He worked for General Motors (Chevrolet) for 35 years and lived in Montana, Idaho, Colorado Nebraska, and South Dakota.

When he retired from Chevrolet he remained in Rapid City and worked as a quality assurance manager at McKie Ford. Dad adored Mom and spent many hours golfing and traveling through "the Hills" with her. Recently, Dad travelled to Washington, DC with other South Dakota WWII veterans on the Honor Flight.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings: Sophie (Jim) Beebe, Pete (Melvina) Novak, Leona (George) Lynch, Todd (Rita) Novak and Josephine (Ralph) Parisot.   Survivors include his wife Wife, Michelle Novak, his Children, Dr. Lisa (Judith) Jones, Robert Jones, Michelle (Jim) Walker, Angelina (Chad) Thurston, Grandchildren: Mark (Jessica) Messmer, Kristine Engja, Krister Engja, Gianna Thurston, Great-Grandchildren: Lars and Maximus Messmer, Sister: Rose Urbanski and Numerous nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

Visitation will be on Thursday, November 19th, from 5-7 pm with a Christian wake at 7:00 pm at Blessed Sacrament Church.

A Christian funeral mass will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 20 at Blessed Sacrament Church with burial at Black Hills National Cemetery at 2:30 pm on Nov. 20th with Rushmore VFW Post 1273 and the United States Navy providing military honors.

Memorials may be made to Hospice House of Rapid City, Blessed Sacrament Church, or the Rushmore VFW Post 1273, Rapid City.