Charlie Young loved hellos and hugs and the glad moments of delight and greeting. He disliked good-byes, and God allowed him to leave us in his preferred style, as he slipped out the door of this life and into life eternal, the home for which he had been preparing since he was 18, without a goodbye on January 20, 2019. There to hug and welcome him home were his parents, Roy and Audra Young; his parents-in-law, James and Marie Mason; his sister and brother-in-law, Jean and David Potter, grand-daughter Marie May Young, a nearly endless line of friends, and even people he hadn’t personally met, but whose lives he impacted forever.
His leaving has deepened the faith in and longing for heaven in the hearts of those who know him best, and love and respect him most: wife, Brenda Mason Young; children, Rachel (Young) and Aron Carpenter, Zachary and Amanda (White) Young, Jacob and Jessica (Harold) Young; grandchildren, Skylar, Maxwell, Maverick, Eden, Riley, Shaelee, Evelyn, Hazel, and a much-anticipated 9th grandchild on the way. After Jesus, the most important thing in his life was family. His extended family was a of great joy and pride to him and he anticipated every gathering: Jennifer and Sara Potter, J. and Cathy Mason and their children, Melinda and Ray Ferguson, Marshall and Michelle Mason; Dwight and Patty Mason and their children Caleb, Sarah and Nate Alderfer, Jonathan, and Ben.
Charlie was born in southern Indiana on August 9, 1952. The blessing of his young life was being adopted by Roy and Audra Young. They gave him a godly home, and, as his biological aunt and uncle, enabled him to develop a deep love for his biological family as well.
The blessing of his teenage years is that John Maxwell came to Hillham, Indiana as his pastor, and became his mentor and dear friend. John taught him to love Jesus; Charlie taught John to love golf. Charlie loved Corvettes, working and saving to collect two classic red Corvettes.
He was a lifelong Hoosier, but also came to deeply love his adopted state of Ohio. Loyalty was his middle name, and he was IU, OSU, Browns, Cavaliers, Indians, and Cowboys for life. He was a great golfer, a sportsman his entire life, watching Sunday afternoon ball his last day here.
He was a graduate of Ohio Christian University and Asbury Theological Seminary. He was an avid reader, a continual learner, a patriot, and a student of Abraham Lincoln. His love for Jesus and people were the driving force of his life.
Since he was called to ministry at 19, his hashtag was #giveandserve. Charlie served with distinction as pastor in New Lexington, Cincinnati, Woodsfield, LifeHope Church Canton, and Cornerstone Church, where he recently was acknowledged as Pastor Emeritus. He was the Superintendent of the Ohio Conference of Free Methodist Churches for 13 years.
His generosity, patience, compassion, and wisdom were legendary as he navigated the people he led through personal life crises, building programs, cultural change, and from darkness to light. He believed the local church faithfully living and teaching Jesus Christ is the hope of the world. Charles Young has blazed a trail of purity, humility, faithfulness, and character.
We will continue to follow his best advice until we see him again: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your paths”. Proverbs 3:5-6.
A part of Charlie’s legacy, he was a builder. He was passionate to help Cornerstone Church have a new Portage Lakes home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cornerstone Building Fund, 2717 S. Arlington Rd.
, Akron, Oh. 44312. Friends may call at the Canton Campus of NewPointe Community Church, 5305 Broadmoor Circle NW, 44709 on Friday, January 25, 2019, from 3-7 p.m. A memorial and celebration service will be held Saturday, January 26, 2019, at 11 a.m. at NewPointe, with an hour of visitation before the service.
A meal will be served after the service. Thank you for your prayers and love. It is such a gift that you know what a man we celebrate.
Donations may be made to: Cornerstone Church 2717 S. Arlington Rd. , Akron OH 44312 Web: www. cornerstonechurch.
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