Charles Arthur Conkin

"Dear lovely Death, That taketh all things underwing - Never to kill - Only to change, Into some other thing, This suffering flesh, To make it either more or less, But not again the same - Dear lovely Death, Change is thy other name." Langston Hughes

Charles Conkin is preceded in passing by his father, Gary Conkin, and so many others who he has lost throughout the years. Though he is gone, those who survive will never forget him: His mother, Madonna Conkin, his son, Soren Tempest, his sisters, Emily Conkin and Kristy Conkin, and his brother, Kraig Conkin, and his cats: Tabby, Boo, and Bam.

For those who knew him, Charles was a light; someone full of a kind of humor and understanding that could make the mad world something else, a more readily transformable place. How he always cared, it was obvious to us all he did. We will miss seeing him cooking dinner with his mother; being the other end of a phone call or text; laughing; drawing; filming; talking about movies; being there to listen. He cared. Not a person to try and please others, rather genuine and honest about it, (he would agree) he was not often entirely understood. Those who did understand him, they knew, he lived in the small spaces and truths that convey real depth of attachment. To say how much those he left behind will miss him, it is next to impossible. For all that he was, son, father, brother, he will be remembered always and missed. 

As an artist he has left us two full length feature films, The Cold White Place and Zone Drifter. There are also soundtracks, musical compositions, countless paintings, drawings, and sketches, and the record of his life in photography capturing Casper, Chicago, and Portland... Too, his art proves the memory of him creating, in itself, is a work of art. 

Madonna wishes, in remembrance of him, a candle be lit, and the song "Vincent" by Don McLean be played, as there will be only private services held at this time. In lieu of flowers his family appreciates donations made in his name to the Casper Human Society. 

To share a memory of Charles or leave a special message for the family, please visit the guestbook below.