James Barton Fast

James Barton Fast, age 66, of rural Lamar, died Tuesday, August 4, 2009, at Nevada, RegionalMedicalCenter        James was born September 3, 1942, in Barton County, Missouri, to Barton and Hazel (Ross) Fast.  He graduated from Liberal High School in 1960 and attended college at Pittsburg, Kansas.         On July 15, 1961, at Liberal, James married Judith Lynn Yoke and they made their home west of Lamar.  James was a dedicated grain farmer, and he and Judy maintained a dairy herd and milked cows for more than 33 years.  James devoted his life to his family and the farm.  He had a passion for horses, raising many draft horses and pulling ponies.  He was a member of the Lamar Saddle Club and was a talented team roper.  James was a member of Lamar Elks Lodge and he enjoyed the fellowship of many good friends around a card table.           Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Judy, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Becky & Mike Charlton, Harrisonville, Missouri; a son and daughter-in-law, Doug & Michelle Fast, Liberal; a brother Rick & wife Debbie Fast, Iantha, Missouri; three sisters, Hazel & husband Bill Lawrence, Lavonne & husband Larry Hanshaw, all of Independence, Missouri, and Kathy Thompson, Blue Springs, Missouri; four grandchildren, Chad Fast, Kiley Fast, Jack Charlton and William Charlton; and a large extended family.        Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6th, at Daniel Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from noon until 2:00 p.m. Thursday.  Burial will be in Iantha Cemetery at a later date.        Memorial contributions are suggested to the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society, or American Diabetes Society, in care of Daniel Funeral Home.