04/16/2020
Ronald Edward Fast passed away unexpectedly after a fall at his home in Palmdale, California on April 16, 2020.
He was born October 23, 1938, the son of Paul and Fern (Core) Fast, and was raised on the Fast Family Farm north of Knoxville. He attended Washington rural school and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1957.
Shortly after graduation, Ron moved with his parents and younger brother to Palmdale, California. He was involved in the construction industry and assisted in his father’s business, Fast Custom Screens, in Palmdale. After his father’s death in 1969, Ron took over the business and continued successfully until his recent retirement.
Ron was an honest, hardworking, gentleman and was much loved by his family and friends. He lived a quiet life and loved nature and animals. He was also a collector of antiques and old cars, which he meticulously restored.
Among his favorite autos were a 1940 Ford Pickup, an early 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and a 1947 Packard, and he was near completion of a 1957 Studebaker Hawk.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Dennis Belknap.
Survivors include three sisters: Joan (Jack) Hakes of Palmdale; Maurine Belknap of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Roberta (Bert) Dennison of Knoxville, Iowa; brother, Don (Wendy) of McMinnville, Oregon, and many other family members and friends.
Ron has been cremated, with arrangements by Chapel of the Valley Funeral Home in Palmdale, California, and Bybee & Davis Funeral Home in Knoxville, Iowa.
Private family graveside services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2020, at 1:30 p.m. at Graceland Cemetery in Knoxville. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Animal Rescue League.