Charles Gao Peng, 15, of Hoover, Alabama passed away on November 6, 2020, after courageously battling a brain tumor for over three years. He was born on March 9, 2005, the son of Ji-Bin Peng and Liyan Gao.
Charles was a student at Hoover High School, an Eagle Scout from Troop 21, and a member of the Shades Mountain Baptist Church Youth Group. He received the Gene Godwin “Courage” award from Simmons Middle School in 2018.
Charles enjoyed reading, playing clarinet in the Simmons Middle School Band, attending scholar’s bowl and math team, swimming, playing tennis, being outdoors, and spending time with his friends.
Teachers and friends remember that Charles talked to everyone with an open heart and a genuine smile. He impressed many with his honesty, maturity, humor, and courage in facing a life-threatening disease. Charles fought the tumor with an unfailingly positive attitude and unbreakable faith. He touched many people’s hearts and was loved by his friends, neighbors, schoolmates, teachers, administrators, scouts and scout leaders, doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals. He was very grateful to have so many people along his side in his journey fighting against the brain tumor.
Charles is survived by his parents, Ji-Bin and Liyan, and his brother, William. He is also survived by his grandparents, many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A funeral service* will be held at the Conference Center of Shades Mountain Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama at 1:30 P.M. on Tuesday, November 10, 2020. A burial will follow at Southern Heritage Cemetery in Pelham, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider memorial donations in honor of Charles to Children’s Hospital of Alabama or the Boy Scouts of America.
*Social distancing and mask-wearing are strongly encouraged at the funeral service. A 7-minute YouTube video about Charles’ life can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Wu7pWRx7NXE for those who will not be able to attend the memorial service.
