Mark Busby Sluder

July 24, 2021

Mark Busby Sluder, 66, passed away unexpectedly Saturday afternoon, July 24, 2021. He was born, December 29, 1954, the son of the late Dr. Harold and Mrs. Carol Sluder and was a lifelong Charlottean. He attended Myers Park High School and Central Piedmont Community College.

Longtime readers of The Charlotte Observer knew him best as “Mark B. Sluder.” He was a longtime staff photographer from 1977 to 1997. Following his time at the Observer during which he was part of two Pulitzer Prize-winning teams and spent another 12 years leading photography at the Sports Business Journal, NASCAR Illustrated and NASCAR Scene. He won numerous national and international awards for his photography including National Motorsports Photographer of the Year (three times).

Mark loved spending time outdoors kayaking, camping and most of all hunting for rocks and fossils, so much so that his grandchildren called him “Fossil.” In his years traveling the NASCAR circuit for work he often would return to his hotel room after a long day and unload his pockets into a rock tumbler he travelled with.

His love of photography was sparked by his teacher at Myers Park, and he continued to take incredible photographs and participate in art classes at the time of his death.

He is survived by his daughter, Addie (James) Sluder and their children, Sydney and Matilda, of Jacksonville, FL.; his son, Michael (Sarah) Sluder and their children, Bennett and Grady of Atlanta, GA. He is also survived by his siblings, Henry Sluder, Linda Sluder and Elizabeth “Kit” Sluder all of Charlotte, NC.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, August 21st at 1:00 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 3115 Providence Road, Charlotte NC, 28211. Masks will be required.

The family requests that memorials be made to The Light Factory, 1817 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205 (www.lightfactory.org) or Camp Blue Skies, 2820 Selwyn Ave., Box 767, Charlotte NC, 28209 (www.campblueskies.org)

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC, 28204.

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  • Lyle Wilson

    A cousin of mine via our shared Busby line. Very sorry for your loss.

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  • David Griffin

    Mark and I worked together at NASCAR Scene. I always looked forward to seeing his take on the race weekend and what he had seen differently than everybody else. I’m gonna miss seeing him around.

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  • Jim Dedmon

    I remember first meeting Mark when he was at the Observer, Harold and he came in to talk with Adger when I worked at his store. We talked briefly, and I watched for his images in the paper. Years later when I was shooting at the speedway we ran into each other and talked as if the conversation had never stopped. Mark had a unique and talented eye on the world and he was one of the few who knew how to put his vision onto film in a way that inspired. Will miss seeing him out and about, he was a good fellow and a true craftsman.

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  • jack king

    Linda, Henry and Kit. Our families share a special path in Charlotte. I have about a dozen of Mark's Christmas cards framed and hanging in my home. Realizing that we had not talked in way too long, I tracked Mark down last year and had a great time catching up. Afterwards, he mailed me his most current card, What has never come up in all the years is that he was a rock guy and this has been my lifelong passion also. May you and his children find comfort and peace.

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  • Linda Ashendorf

    I always had a special place in my heart for Mark as his Dr. Dad Harold delivered my son. I was privileged to be on a train ride with Mark to Bill Clinton’s first inauguration. Such fun. Mark was a wonderful human being like his Dad before him. My condolences to his sisters and especially to Linda and to his children. The Sluders are a wonderful family.

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  • Cindy Withers

    Mark and I grew up together as back door neighbors and as kids liked to play Man From Uncle from the 60’s tv show, Lincoln Logs, cards and a game called Operation. I remember he had a pet tarantula, a dark room for developing photos on the porch at his home and taught me chips in pb&j sandwiches are the best! I hired him to photograph the 1st Belk Bowl activities while helping me understand what was necessary to get clearances to take video and photos on the field and around the stadium. He had been a sports photographer and knew the ropes. Mark’s father took up photography late in life and remember going to many viewings from his trips to the Everglades which influenced Mark’s interests in that field. I think Mark had that creative “eye” to see things in everyday life that he captured through the lens that most of us miss…his special talent for nature, portrait and sport, local and world news photography. ? Gone too soon.

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  • Flossie Downes

    Love the Sluder family and although I haven’t seen them much in recent years, they were an important part of my life. I remember Mark’s love for photography and the outdoors from an early age. Also, I feel he was sensitive, creative and caring. My heart goes out to all his family who are dealing with this loss. ❤️

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  • Becky Harris

    I would love to see Mark’s photo collection some day. XO

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  • Mark Olenik

    I remember Mark as brave( as a good reporter is), sopft spoken and friendly.

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