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Gracie Ann Fast © Haigler-Pierce Funeral Home 09-2013 Submitted by: Ann Weber
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Gracie Ann Fast was born August 27, 1931 in Dalhart, TX to Jacob A. an Agnes (Pauls) Sawatzky. She came into the presence of the Lord on September 11, 2013 in her home. With the passage of the Dust Bowl through the Texas panhandle, Gracie moved with her family to Weatherford, OK in 1934. She grew up with three siblings and graduated from Corn Bible Academy in 1949. A favorite memory of hers was sitting on the hilltop behind her father's gas station on old Route 66, counting Chevys and Fords with her sisters. She continued her schooling at Southwestern Oklahoma College in Weatherford and taught English at Oklahoma Bible Academy in Meno for two enjoyable years. She married Vernon Fast in 1954 and they began their life together in Fairview and lived in Fairview nearly their entire married life of 59 years.
Gracie was a hard worker and supported Vernon in many endeavors as a positive and encouraging influence. Vernon and Gracie became parents to Cindy LeAnn and Cherri LaNell. She enjoyed life both as a wife and mother. Gracie loved music and playing her record albums especially Handel's Messiah at Christmas time. Gracie enjoyed her home the last twenty years, caring for her flowers and roses and watching the birds and squirrels from the back porch.
The Lord blessed Gracie since she was a young lady with a calm, good natured and positive spirit. She loved her church and was active by teaching her adult ladies Sunday School class for many years, being a Pioneer Girl Guide and Pal, and church librarian. She would always study the Bible before Sunday School, even when she could no longer attend.
Gracie relied mightily on the Lord during her life. When asked at the age of 76 how she dealt with being diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at age 53, she simply replied, I knew God would take care of me. Gracie's life was not about her constant struggle to maintain her dignity and normal life, but rather her Christian walk, her family, and the many blessings God bestowed upon her. She was wonderfully sustained by her unwavering faith in God.
Gracie is survived by her husband, Vernon; daughters Cindy and her husband Dan Haney of Booneville, AR, and Cherri and her husband Mark Calvert of Broken Arrow, OK; three grandchildren, Elizabeth and John Justice of Monroe, LA, Andrew and Becca Haney of Conway, AR and Timothy and Laura Calvert of Dallas, TX; two great-grandchildren, Brayden and Layla Haney; a sister, Ruby Berg of Salem, OR; and sister-in-law, Lera Sawatzky of Weatherford; She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, A.J. Sawatzky; and a sister, Elizabeth Sawatzky;
Gracie was blessed to have been loved by wonderful ladies Carla Schmidt, Bernice Nichols, Jenny Corkery, Nellie Madrid, Robin Cofer, Emalee Wedel and Katie Fletcher, whose kindness and compassionate care enabled her to enjoy her last few years.
Visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 13, at Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 14, 2013 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church with Pastor Marlin Hiett officiating. Pallbearers will be Andrew Haney, John Justice, Kent Sawatzky, Malcolm McCune, Dan Gasparovic, Don Berg, Roger Fast, Randall Fast and Kent Schlotthauer. Interment will follow in the South Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview. Memorials may be made to the Fairview M.B. Church Library or Wycliffe Bible Translators with the funeral home serving as custodian at P.O. Box 15, Fairview, OK 73737. Condolences may be made online at www.haiglerpierce.com.
Vernon Lee Fast © Haigler-Pierce Funeral Home 06-2015 Submitted by: Ann Weber
© Haigler-Pierce Funeral Home
Vernon Lee Fast was born November 26, 1927, to Helen Suderman Fast and Dan Fast, and passed away on June 11, 2015. He grew up south of Fairview in a home located where the Plymouth Valley vineyard is now and later moved when his parents bought his grandparents home and farm. Vernon attended Banner School through the 8th grade. Vernon, his brother, Melvin, as well as his cousin, Wilmer, spent a lot of time hunting and because Wilmer had a car he would pick up Dad for school. Vernon excelled in running and basketball and also played football for Coach Eubanks.
A favorite story is when Dad threw a snowball over their 2 story home by chance hitting Melvin on the back of the neck. Out of nowhere Melvin appeared and tackled Dad, who chased him around the house until Melvin ran inside. Grandma Fast blocked the door and asked Dad what he was doing; needless to say she ended the chase. Another story involved a skunk, a trap and persuading a younger brother to sneak up from behind and shoot it.
While attending Tabor College, Vernon took flying lessons without his parents knowing by hitchhiking to Wichita. He was drafted into the army during the Korean War serving stateside at Fort Sam Houston and Camp Pickett. Dad was an army cook and after hollering for help to carry a huge pot of soup by calling a few KP guys Sam, he acquired the nickname he held his entire life. Dad held a large appreciation and admiration for those serving our country. Dad loved playing fast pitch softball and dominated, throwing no-hitters and hitting four home runs in one game.
Vernon met Gracie Ann Sawatzky at a Mennonite Brethren Conference in Enid proposing on Valentines Day, and marrying on August 7, 1954. During their early years of marriage he farmed, then decided to move to Quincy, Washington, staying one year. Vernon decided to get into the building business after spending a few months in Weatherford working for his brother-in-law, A.J. Sawatzky, who always encouraged and mentored him. Cindy LeAnn was born in 1956 and Cherri LaNell in 1959. Dad and Gene Eitzen built their first home on 12th Street and made the mistake of hanging doors before sheet rocking, many lessons learned. The family moved to N. 12th and proceeded to move when a house didn't sell in good time. Moves followed to Sunset Lane, Sooner Drive, Cimarron Drive and 8th Street. Vernon built up to 200 of the fine homes in Fairview and Okeene. He also had a cabinet shop, building cabinets for the M.B. Church as well as doing the plumbing. Fast Construction Company and Excel Wood Products were two of his companies. He was an entrepreneur and mom supported him building educational equipment and Keys to the City that sold throughout the United States and Canada.
Vernon accepted Christ as his personal Savior when he was 11 years old and was baptized September 22, 1940 by A.P. Epp. Dad taught lessons in faithfulness, dependability and hard work. He served as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, high school teacher and MBY sponsor, supporting and being involved in church. He was sincere at sharing the good news of the gospel and his desire that everyone he knew and didn't know have eternal life through belief in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Vernon co-owned a Cessna for many years and enjoyed flying, toting his daughters and sons-in-law to basketball camp or to show them the countryside. A crazy stunt he and close friend Don Martens pulled involved taking turns piloting a twin engine plane to Tulsa and back with almost zero practice nearly running out of gas.
He loved his small town and cared for its citizens, serving as mayor in the 60's. With oil field workers sleeping in tents in the early 80's, Dad built the Heritage Inn and Landcrest Apartments. When the oil boom went bust in 1984, Vernon and Gracie moved in to manage the motel. Mom would send him out to go fishing at Canton Lake or Eck's Pond saying it was a good stress outlet. They ran the motel for 12 years until Dad built their last home.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment is the way he took care of our Mother. Mom was diagnosed with Parkinsons while living at the motel and Dad never wavered in his devotion or support. He loved her and would often take her out to eat, pushing her wheelchair, always patient and kind. He provided a Christian environment praying aloud for many friends and family every night until his death.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Ella Lorine; and his beloved wife, Gracie; He is survived by daughters Cindy and Dan Haney, of Booneville, AR and Cherri and Mark Calvert of Broken Arrow, OK; grandchildren Elizabeth and John Justice of West Monroe, LA, Andrew and Becca Haney of Conway, AR and Tim Calvert of Dallas, TX; great-grandchildren Brayden and Layla Haney; and one brother, Melvin and wife Gloria.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 15, 2015 at the Fairview Mennonite Brethren Church with Dr. Bruce Ewing officiating. Interment will follow in the Fairview South Mennonite Brethren Cemetery under the direction of Pierce Funeral Home, Fairview. Viewing will be held at the funeral home from noon until 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, with the family present to receive friends from 6 8 p.m. Sunday evening. Memorials may be made to the Fairview Fellowship Home Assisted Living or the Dallas Theological Seminary 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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