Charles Hiawatha Butler Jr.

Charles Hiawatha Butler Jr., only son born to Charles Hiawatha Butler Sr. and Eldonia Valery, was born January 9, 1988 in Oakland, California at Samuel Merritt Hospital. ( 6 lb 7 oz) He came into this world smiling and never crying! He attended Sacred Heart Elementary School in Oakland, CA, St. Joseph Elementary in Berkeley, CA, and Ralph Bunche in Oakland, CA. He moved towards higher learning by attending Far West High School and Berkeley Adult. Charles loved to play basketball and the Golden State Warriors was his team!! His favorite football team was the Pittsburgh Steelers. Charles liked to work with his hands and took on a desire to learn carpentry and gardening. From working on such projects like Everett and Jones in Berkeley to random tasks around the house in which he lived, Charles desired to make his imprint known. Charles gave his life to Christ at a young age. Deep in his heart he wanted to be closer to God and wanted to get to know him better. He was baptized at United Smith Memorial Church in Hayward, CA under Pastor William Coleman III. Charles aspired to be like his father. He wanted to follow in his footsteps and make him proud. While attending Praise Fellowship Bible Church in Richmond, CA, Charles was presented with an opportunity to be a part of the Anchor Program. He enlisted in the program to become a merchant seaman which was similar to his father's profession of a longshoreman. He attended classes regularly and studied hard every night to pass all his tests. He passed them with flying colors and within 2 months he was certified for fire training, personal survival, and other life-saving skills. With his eyes set on going out to sea he make it priority to go to the Longshoreman Hall in San Francisco to get as many day jobs as he needed to sail out on a ship and experience new places and meet new people. We will always be proud of the strides Charles made to position himself for his best life. Because of this dedication and investment in his future Charles will always remain part of the PFBC Dream. He will always serve as a source of inspiration striving to help other young men and people to live their best lives. But before he could get on a ship the Lord said, "Charles your purpose has been served and I need you back now." Charles may have had to leave but even in his death he is still happy and helpful. Through being an organ donor, he gave the ultimate gifts on Christmas Day by saving other lives. He leaves to cherish his memory: Dad (Charles Hiawatha Butler Sr.) Mom (Eldonia Valery), 3 Sisters (Valerie Butler, Monique Randolph, Ann Butler), Aunties(Verna Guyton better known as Miss Pretty) Noble Brown, Wafer Theus, Nonie Rhea, Christine Butler (Miss Honey) deceased, Grandmothers: Hattie Sanders, Mattie Ann Shepherd deceased; Patricia Holmes, Tommie Holmes, Verna Brown, Uncle ( Junior Randall) Nephews ( Kamani Holmes, Kenyatta Holmes) and a host of cousins, family and friends that loved Charles. In the words of Charles, I love you and imma see you when I see you!