Arnold Fast
FORT WORTH -- Arnold Fast, was joyfully received
into the arms of his Lord and Master on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2008.
Funeral: 10 a.m. Monday at Haltom City Church of the
Nazarene, 5009 Stanley Keller Road, Fort Worth. Interment: Greenwood Memorial
Park. Visitation: 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Greenwood Funeral Home.
Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations may be made
to Child Evangelism Fellowship, 7001 Boulevard 26, Suite 203, Fort Worth, Texas
76180; or Universal Health Resources, Box 8795, Fort Worth, Texas 76124.
Arnold was born June 30, 1913, in Goessel, Kan., to
Peter B. and Helena Fast, and was one of nine children. He received his
teaching credentials from Bethel College in North Newton, Kan. He taught grade
school and German in Green Valley, Peach Grove and Good Hope, Kan., for eight
years. After marriage, Arnold and his wife, Elsie, were called to the Christian
ministry. They purchased a farm in Buxton, Kan., near an empty church building.
They held church services there for several years. After moving to Texas, they
accepted the call to keep the church doors open in Wheeler and Quanah for nine
months.
Arnold and family moved around quite a bit as he
worked for Sinclair Pipeline Co. in Marion, Ohio, moved to Phoenix Ariz., and
then to California, where he worked for General Dynamics. In 1970, the family
moved to Texas, where he was employed by Carter & Burgess until he was 75.
Arnold always had a song in his heart. He organized
and directed four different cantatas in four different churches, led the
Hallelujah Chorus of Handel's "Messiah" in the Pilgrim Holiness
church in Chino, Calif., and organized and directed an all-male choir at Hurst
Church of the Nazarene. He also enjoyed playing the standard and Hawaiian
guitars.
Arnold was Sunday school superintendent several
years at Nazarene churches in White Settlement and Lewisville.
Arnold had compassion for struggling people and was
always generous in helping others financially and in prayer. He loved to read
Scripture and always had a burden for the lost. In his latter days he
distributed tracts until he was no longer able. After that, he helped the needy
by sponsoring three poverty-stricken orphans.
He greatly regretted his loss of memory and hearing
in his latter days but was grateful for the desirable health the Father gave
him. He went to be with the Father; his wife of 58 years, Elsie; and a host of
loved ones.
Survivors: Six children; 13 grandchildren; and nine
great-grandchildren.
