Rotterdam~

Charles H. Carkner, Jr. “Brother Chuck”,66, stepped into the presence of His Lord and Savior on August 15, 2019 and heard these word “Welcome home, thou good and faithful servant”.

Born October 29, 1952, in Albany to Charles and Irene (Bagley) Carkner, he is survived by his beloved wife, Christine, and adored and proud father of Danielle Traver, his favorite son-in-law, Keith and their soon to be born daughter. Survivors also include his brothers, Minard, Bert, Scott, Paul, Charles (Junior) Jensen and sisters, Loretta, Gloria, Tammy, Dee and several nephews, cousins and friends.

Chuck was a driver for various bakeries in the Albany area and upon his retirement, the Lord worked in his heart to start a bus ministry at Lighthouse Baptist Church in Schenectady, run their Junior Church and Wednesday Night King’s Kids program. After stepping away from those ministries he and his wife became church planters, starting 3 churches in the Capital District, one of which the Lord is still blessing.

After his diagnosis of gastric cancer, and surviving the treatments and surgery, the Lord once again moved him and his wife to the ministry of church helps, where they traveled to various small and struggling churches to offer encouragement to the pastor and the congregations. He finished well thanks to those words spoken to him by Pastor John Horn and that is all that he ever wanted to do.

Friends and relatives are invited to attend a celebration of Brother Chuck’s life on Monday, August 19 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Lighthouse Baptist Church, 2919 West Lydius St., Schenectady 12303 with services to follow. Burial will be in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, 303 Sand Creek Road, Albany 12205.

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