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Eugene Fast was born to David and Sarah Fast on July 7, 1924 in the family home 2 miles southeast of Fairview. He departed this life on October 17, 2014 at the age of 90 years at the Fairview Fellowship Home. Gene lived all of his life in the Fairview area. He grew up with his two brothers and sister on the farm southeast of Fairview and attended Progressive Grade School. He attended Fairview High School and graduated in 1943. After high school he continued to farm with his father and soon married his sweetheart, LaVerne Nickel, on January 28, 1945, at the South Mennonite Brethren Church near Fairview. God blessed this union with four children, and with numerous opportunities for service within the church and community. He was a member of the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church and was an active participant in church building, numerous committees, deacon ministry, trustee board, choir and male chorus. He also served his Lord by participating in mission endeavors in Mexico in the 1950's. In addition he served many years in the Gideon Bible ministry. Gene and LaVerne shared a custom wheat harvest business in their early married years, traveling from Texas to Canada. In 1960 the family moved from the farm 3 miles west of Fairview to the Fast homeplace southeast of Fairview. For 29 years they operated a dairy business which provided many gallons of fresh milk and homemade ice cream shared by family and friends.
In 1976 the dairy was sold and they continued to raise cattle and wheat. It was at this time that they built a new home across the road from the homeplace. Gene was active for several years in the local and the Oklahoma Wheatgrowers Association, serving on the state board of directors, becoming Vice-President, recruiting 108 members, and lobbying in Washington, DC for the betterment of the farm programs. In 1989 he was awarded the honor of Mr. Wheat by the Oklahoma Wheatgrowers Association and LaVerne was presented the Oklahoma Wheatgrowers Wheatheart award the same year. Other interests included the Lion's Club, supporting his kids in school activities, athletics, band and agriculture. In 1994 LaVerne became ill and then went to be with her Lord in January 1995. Gene later married Freda Koop Wichert and they lived in the home for 8 years. In 2004 they moved to Freda's home in Fairview and continued their marriage until her passing in 2011. Gene had the gift of conversation and used that gift with anyone he met to witness for his Lord and encourage them to “Be Ready” to meet their Savior. His life was best characterized by his hard work and dedication to his family, his church, his community, and his beloved Lord.
Gene was preceded in death by two brothers, Walter Fast and Harold Fast.
Survivors include two daughters, Judy Walton and husband Steve of Weatherford, OK and Karen Burlison and husband Gregg of Fairview, OK; two sons, Ronald Fast and wife Tamara of Muskogee, OK and Jim Fast and wife Pam of Fairview, OK; one sister, Rosalie Kliewer of Hillsboro, KS; eleven grandchildren, Kathy, Laura, Melissa, Sarah, Pete, Christina, Drew, Megan, Kodi, Evan and Kori; ten great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren;
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 20, 2014 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church with Pastor Marlin Hiett officiating. Interment will follow in Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview. Memorials may be made to the Gideons with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737. Condolences may be made online at www.haiglerpierce.com.
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