Obituary of Ralph Clark Fast
Ralph Clark Fast, 96, of Bellview, passed on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 at the United Hospital Center in Bridgeport. He was born November 17, 1929 in Fairmont, WV a son of the late James P. and Rita A. Brown Fast. He is survived by his wife, Eleanor Jo Hess Fast.
Ralph was a member of the Highland Avenue United Methodist Church and a veteran with the United States Air Force. He was a 1947 graduate of Fairmont Senior High School as well as a Fairmont State College. Ralph retired from the United States Postal Service where he served for over 23 years as a rural route mail carrier. He also was a retired Captain with the Fairmont City Fire Department with over 24 years of service.
Ralph was a lifetime member with the VFW Post #629, as well as a member of the Fairmont Eagles #2373, and the Square Circle Hunting Club in Fairmont.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by his grandchildren: Ralph C. Fast III and his wife Stayci of New Hampshire, Erik Fast of Virginia, David Tonkery II of South Carolina, and Evan Tonkery of West Virginia, as well as his great-grandchildren, Gannon Fast and Isabela Fast, and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son, Ralph Clark Fast Jr., his daughter, Sandra Ilene Tonkery, brother, Everett Lee Fast, and his sister, Ruth Grimm.
The family would like to thank Donna and Frank Rigger, as well as Bill Hawk for all the care and assistance they provided over the past several weeks.
The family has entrusted the arrangement to Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia Street, Fairmont, WV. Friends and family are invited to visit on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 4PM until 8PM. And on Friday, December 19, 2025 from 10 AM until 11AM. The funeral will be held in the funeral home on Friday, December 19, 2025 at 11AM with Reverend Jim Zinn officiating. Interment will follow at the Beverly Hills Memorial Gardens in Westover, WV where full military rites will be held at graveside by the Marion County Veterans Council. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.
