James Samuel Novy Jr., a retired Air Force Colonel described as a true scholar and a patriot "with a will of iron," died Friday, 14 May 2004, after a battle with an illness. He was 83.
Novy's life was marked by a distinguished military career that spanned more than three decades and included two combat tours in World War II as a squadron fighter pilot.
Having completed 147 combat missions, the highly decorated Novy was awarded seven Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
"I fully believe he was a patriot in everything that he did," said Novy's daughter, Carol Novy Merritt. "Everything was God and country."
Perhaps the most significant part of Novy's career was his work with the National Security Agency. His titles, among many, included intelligence research officer, chief of the Russian Air Office, special representative of the Department of Defense in Vietnam, chief national security agency representative to the Department of Defense and deputy group chief for Southeast Asia and the Far East.
Raised in Chicago, Novy retired from the Air Force in 1974 and came to San Antonio.
His wife of 38 years, Marilyn Carter Novy, died in 1996. He also was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathleen.
Novy's only living child, Merritt, described her family as small but close-knit.
Other survivors include granddaughters Stephanie and Melissa Merritt and son-in-law Robert Merritt, all of Santa Ana, California; brother-in-law Thomas Jerrell Carter Jr., sister-in-law Carol Carter and niece Jennifer Carter, all of Rockville, Maryland; and nephew Thomas Jerrell Carter III of Austin, Texas.
An avid reader with a thirst for knowledge, Novy completed his doctorate after retirement.
Novy also was involved in several Republican political campaigns, including those of former Governor Bill Clements and former President Reagan.