Dallas Eugene Fast went to be with Jesus on May 21, 2026, at the age of 82. He was born in Dallas, Oregon, on Feb. 26, 1944, to A.J. and Ethel Fast.

He graduated from North Thurston High School in Lacey, Washington, in 1962 and attended Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon, where he met his future wife, Linda Kuykendall. They married Aug. 27, 1965, and after graduation became youth pastors in Santa Cruz, California, where their daughter, Michelle, was born in 1967.

Moving back to Lacey to partner with his brother Darcy in Fast Athletic Supply, Dallas was active in the music ministry at Olympia-Lacey Church of God. Their son, Mark, was born in 1970. Continuing his education at Washington State University, the family lived in Clarkston before returning to Lacey and again partnering with his brother in Acme Personnel Service.

In 1977, the Lord called Dallas and Linda to full-time music ministry at First Church of God in Walla Walla, where, among many wonderful ministry endeavors, Dallas also orchestrated 12 churches to present a Living Christmas Pageant in Pioneer Park in 1981. As a result of his community service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by Kiwanis International.

After five years serving in Walla Walla, Dallas' brother again called him to partner in the flourishing ministry at First Church of God in Centralia, where Dallas served for 30 years and eventually retired from music ministry in 2012. While Dallas was credited with many ministry accomplishments throughout that time, he was most noted for his Living Christmas Pageants, patriotic presentations, seasonal cantatas and the Living Cross.

Dallas began his music education as a child in a large accordion band in Portland. He had a natural ear for music and played the family Hammond organ. In high school, he played trombone, then switched to trumpet. His quartet singing began in college with the Knights for Christ and later included The Inheritance, The Redeemed and The Lighthouse Gospel Quartet. Dallas loved hymns and gospel songs that spoke of our salvation through faith in God and the promise of eternal life with our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Dallas' children and grandchildren were his pride and joy. Tractor rides, beach trips, reading books, singing songs, camping, tickling and concoction oatmeal were all winners with his family. He was blessed to welcome his first great-grandson, Dallas Carter Fast, on April 27, who now carries on his family name.

Dallas was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Dale.

He is survived by his brother, Darcy; his wife, Linda; his daughter, Michelle Collins (Gavin); his son, Mark Fast (Lori); his grandchildren, Drake Collins, Morgan Seward (Shannon), Grant Collins (Clara), Riley Fast (Madeliene), Paige Brunken (Chris), and Cameron Fast (Karlyn); and great-grandson, Dallas Fast.

A celebration of Dallas' life will be held Saturday, June 20, at 3 p.m. at Centralia Community Church of God, 3320 Borst Ave., Centralia.