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April 11, 1930 - August 16, 2021
Melvin James Fast was born to Dan and Helen (Suderman) Fast on April 11, 1930 southeast of Fairview, Oklahoma and left for heaven August 16, 2021.
Melvin was the youngest of his family, with older siblings Ella Lorine and Vernon Lee. He attended Banner School through the 8th grade and graduated from Fairview High School in 1950. As a young boy, he loved to trap, hunt, and fish. Once, after trapping a skunk, Melvin took the advice of a persuasive older brother to shoot the animal from behind, which led to his being sent home from school due to a strong unpleasant smell in the classroom. Melvin was involved in FFA and 4H in his school days and was an exceptional athlete, beginning by being part of the team that took the 1946 state football championship title. In addition to football, he was a stellar hurdler, still to this day holding the FHS record for the 120-yard high hurdles at 14 seconds flat.
After graduation, Melvin drove a school bus and noticed on this bus was riding a very attractive young senior girl. On their first date, Melvin took Gloria to watch the Fairview High School football team take on the Alva Goldbugs. ‘From then on, it was Gloria,’ in Melvin’s own words. After Melvin proposed, he was drafted and sent to South Korea in 1953. He was honorably discharged a year later and married Gloria November 22, 1958.
After they were married, Melvin spent a semester attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He quit school to take over his father’s farming operation, which began his lifelong occupation of farming and ranching. While farming, Melvin purchased the Vickers service station, where he pumped gas and fixed flat tires for many years. Melvin loved everything surrounding his farm and his family, particularly anything that had an engine and could also haul a grandkid or two. Melvin was also very involved in the Eck Family Singers with his beautiful tenor voice. He was a faithful man of prayer and kept several notes to track the many times he read through his well-worn Bible.
Melvin and Gloria are survived by their three children: Roger and Robin Fast, Randall and Tolana Fast, and Cassie and Kent Schlotthauer. They adored their grandchildren: Blake Fast, Brett Fast, Derrick Fast, Kyle Schlotthauer, and Kara and Avery Unruh. They are also survived by Gloria’s youngest sister, Kathy and Greg Switzer. They are preceded in death by their parents, other siblings, granddaughter Jacey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorials may be made to the Gideons with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737.
Gloria Jean Eck Fast
© Pierce Funeral Home
08-2021
Submitted by: Glenn
© Pierce Funeral Home
January 06, 1934 - August 14, 2021
Gloria Jean (Eck) Fast was born January 6, 1934 to Henry R. and Salome A. (Penner) Eck in the family’s home northwest of Fairview, Oklahoma that she occupied for most of her earthly life and first saw Jesus face-to-face August 14, 2021.
Gloria was the firstborn of five children: Elizabeth (Betty) Ann, Marcia Yvonne, Kerwin Don, and Kathy Charlene. Gloria attended Golden Valley school through 8th grade and graduated from Fairview High School in 1952. Each day, Gloria would ride a certain school bus driven by Melvin James Fast, who later became her beau. She carried exceptional musical talent, participating in glee club and numerous other singing groups both in school and in the Church of God. Gloria also excelled in her academic education as part of student council and national honor society, while also honing her skills as a star typist. Her typing talents led to her continued education at both Anderson College in Anderson, Indiana and Enid Business College.
Her father formed a singing group called the Eck Family Singers, of which Gloria was a wonderful pianist, organist, and soprano. Gloria, working as Deputy County Treasurer of Major County, married Melvin November 22, 1958. She stepped down from her position as the couple’s two sons, Roger DeLane, June 1, 1962 and Randall Scott, August 12, 1964, and daughter Cassandra (Cassie) LaGayle, February 26, 1971, were born. She returned to work for the county treasurer’s office when she was appointed May 3, 1976 and enjoyed her three terms in office, retiring in 1991. Gloria spent her retirement years singing and playing piano and organ in church, caring for and keeping the refrigerator and freezer stocked for her six grandchildren, and priding herself in keeping meticulous records for Fast Farms, the family’s farming operation. Gloria was known to be a strong, joyful, loyal mother and grandmother who fiercely loved her family and the Lord.
Melvin and Gloria are survived by their three children: Roger and Robin Fast, Randall and Tolana Fast, and Cassie and Kent Schlotthauer. They adored their grandchildren: Blake Fast, Brett Fast, Derrick Fast, Kyle Schlotthauer, and Kara and Avery Unruh. They are also survived by Gloria’s youngest sister, Kathy and Greg Switzer. They are preceded in death by their parents, other siblings, granddaughter Jacey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Memorials may be made to the Gideons with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737.
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