Everett Faust

Everett George Faust, 87, of Atlantic, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2013, at the Heritage House in Atlantic, Iowa.


Everett Faust, or Red as friends know him, was born April 8, 1926, in Wessington Springs, South Dakota; the fourth son of William and Alvina (Begalske) Faust. At the age of ten he moved with his family to a farm near Fayette, Iowa. He attended and graduated from Fayette High School in 1943. Mr. Faust entered the Armed Services and spent the next three years traveling throughout California, the Philippine Islands and Japan with a special service entertainment division of the U.S. States Army. Upon leaving the service in 1947, Mr. Faust farmed for a short time in partnership with his brother, Harold, on their parent's farm near Hawkeye, Iowa. He was united in marriage October 16, 1950, to Mary Jean Meyer in Oelwein, Iowa. He spent the next few years with a livestock feed company, insurance company, finance company and selling radio advertising for KOEL radio station in Oelwein, Iowa. In 1955, Mr. Faust and a few friends purchased the KJAN radio station in Atlantic, Iowa.


During his 30 years as Co-Owner, President and Sales Manager of KJAN he became involved in many new areas of growth and expansion; adding FM Radio in 1960, purchasing a 2nd radio station at Centerville, Iowa, in 1965 and entering the cable TV field in the early 70s, eventually helping to organize and build 19 cable TV systems throughout Iowa. In 1985, Mr. Faust was honored by his fellow broadcasters and presented the Iowa Broadcaster of the year award. Mr. Faust served in leadership capacities in numerous state broadcasting organizations, as President of the Iowa Radio Network and as President of the Iowa Broadcasters Association.


In addition to his career in radio and cable TV, Mr. Faust was very active in local and church organizations having served on the church council of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Commander of the American Legion, President of the Atlantic Rotary Club, President of the Atlantic Chamber of Commerce and first President of the Atlantic Industrial Development Corporation. Mr. Faust also was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Atlantic Jaycees.


During most of his life his main hobby was magic and he traveled extensively throughout Iowa and bordering states entertaining groups and organizations with his comedy magic act.


Red and Mary had five children and six grandchildren. Upon retiring in 1985, they moved to Arizona splitting their time between their condo in the White Mountains of Northern Arizona and their winter home in Mesa in Southern Arizona. Current hobbies consisted of bridge, golfing and fishing. Red quit doing magic at the age of 80.


Red is survived by his wife, Mary Jean of Atlantic, Iowa; his three sons, Michael Faust of Omaha, NE, William Faust and wife, Brenda of Philadelphia, PA and Donald Faust and wife, Chris of Seattle, WA; his daughter, Patricia Faust of Highlands Ranch, CO; four grandsons, Christian Vincent, Daniel and Anton Faust; two granddaughters, Rachel and Madeline Post; several nieces, nephews and friends.


Preceding Red in death were his parents; his daughter, Teresa; his brothers, William, Harold and Bob; and his sister, Dorothy Meyer.


Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2013, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, Iowa. Visitation with family present will be from 9:30 - 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 31, 2013, also at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Atlantic, IA. A private family burial will be in the Atlantic Cemetery.


In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials to Heritage House Good Samaritan Fund, 1200 Brookridge Circle, Atlantic, Iowa 50022.


Hockenberry Family Care Funeral Home in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of the arrangements.