John Lewis Fast

John Lewis Fast was born July 23, 1927 on the farm where he was raised in Onida, South Dakota. He was the third from the youngest of ten children born to Gerhard and Mary Fast.

Born into a faithful Mennonite family, John attended church regularly, and at the age of 11 or 12 accepted the Lord as his personal Savior while attending Daily Vacation Bible School. At age 16, John's father sent him to a Mennonite Bible School. John's father said, "Out of 7 boys, one should be a preacher." However, after attending bible school for a year, John knew that being a preacher wasn't his calling.

With a farm deferment from being drafted into World War II; at age 20 John took over the family farm. After three years of dry summers and poor crops, John decided farming wasn't for him, and left the farm.

In 1947 John married his first wife, and had three children. John and his family moved to Freemont, Nebraska to support his Pastor in starting a church. While there, he worked in the ammunition factory. After a time, John and his family moved back to Minnesota. In 1959 John moved to Everett, Washington, at the urging of his brother who had previously moved there. About that time, John's marriage ended.

While living in Everett, John attended Bethany Temple. In September of 1966, John met Betty – or "Big Red" as he called her. Six weeks after they met, on November 1, 1966, John and Betty were married. Betty's three children, and John's three children, became a family. In 1970, they moved to Renton, Washington where John worked as an Appliance Technician.

John had a very funny sense of humor. He loved to tease, and always had a story or a joke to tell. When John and Betty went to get their marriage license, the attendant asked John "What is your future wife's name?" He turned to Betty, and with a dead-pan look on his face, asked her, "What did you say your name was, honey?"

Not only did John have a funny sense of humor; he was also very artistically creative. There wasn't anything he couldn't fix, build, make, or repair. John remodeled the house he and Betty bought in Renton; over the years he designed and made unique yard decorations out of wood and various other mediums; he built wooden toys such as tractors, trucks, a train set, and a doll house; and he made wooden trinket boxes with intricate wood inlay.

Growing up on a farm, John had a fascination with tractors. Any and every tractor caught his attention, no matter where it might be – like in someone's front yard. He would have to go look. Of course, what tractor buff would be without a collection of EVERYTHING John Deere? John was known for his large collection of John Deere items.

John was a quiet, caring, man. What you saw was who he was. He never said a bad word to, or about anyone. He accepted people with no judgment or condemnation. People were drawn to him because of his open acceptance. John was in God's right hand, and was very in tune with what God wanted him to do with his life. John always talked about the Lord, and always read his bible. He was the spiritual leader in his home, always teaching and sharing spiritual wisdom in his quiet loving way. He was instrumental in sharing God with many young people he came in contact with, their lives changed forever because of it.

John Lewis Fast was a remarkable man. He was preceded in death by his son Jim; and leaves behind his wife of forty-five years, Betty, and his five children; Kay, Deanna, Mike, Candy and Bill, and their families. He leaves behind 12 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

He will be FOREVER missed!



Arrangements under the direction of Greenwood Funeral Home, Renton, WA.