Last I saw Mark, he was at the Asheville Celtic Festival last February with Becki in the Royal Court having a blast and eating haggis.  He always had a smile on his face and was a bright spot when he would visit me at different festivals.  Becki and Mark were so great together. ❤
We lost a good one .
Farewell Mark
from
Mark Ferguson
and 
I'm so sorry Becki .....

Although it has been many years, Sensei Mark played an invaluable role in our family.  He inspired confidence, work ethic and most of all determination to succeed.  My three, now grown adults, were and are an exceptional display of his teachings and dedication to his sport. I would be remiss if I did not mention the profound effect he had on my baby, Luke.  Without Sensei Mark,  I am not sure where he would be today. I am certain Luke is the successful confident man he is today because of Mark’s teachings.
RIP Sensei

My condolences to Mark's family.The first time I met mark was at a test he was taking to get to the higher ranking belt in his Kung Fu class.I was in awe of what I saw him do with his sport .He was an amazing man.I wish that I could have spent more time with him and family as my Daughter is his Daughter's best friend Michelle Yazvac .Rest in peace mark .You are missed by me.


I have such fond memories of our time together at Maxton High School. We both played clarinets in the school band. You were a very special friend.  You were so kind. My heart breaks for your family. Rest in peace Mark.

Mark was a great man.... He will be missed. May God Bless And Keep His Family. 

I was so sad to see that Mark had passed. I worked with him 40 years ago. He was special. When he smiled I smiled. He had a calmness about him that took over the minute that he walked in the room. He was exceptional and most certainly unforgettable. Bless all of you.

Mark was truly a re-mark-able man.  When you needed help he would always go the extra mile because he was a perfectionist.
It was fun for him to become an adopted Scot! He had no qualms about wearing a kilt but had difficulty adopting a Scottish accent!
I will always remember one favorite expression of his when I would tell him some amazing story -  Oh, really - wow.


My sincere condolences and prayers to the " Slocum Family". Mark possessed character traits that were beyond reproach. During our entire time at R.B. Dean, Townsend Middle School to our finish at Maxton High; Mark made me smile and was a good listener. I will carry fond memories of our time together as friends and schoolmates...Rest Peacefully Mark...
Corlette Smith-Ervin "Class of 81"

I live at the end of Juniper Hills Lane and I love Mark.  He was my drummer and my friend.  Already accomplished in life, we could have stopped there to rest.  But when our kids got older and started their own lives we decided to give our daydreams another shot.  Taking the room above the garage (my kids old bedroom) we started a band with just a bass guitar, electronic drum kit and extra mic.  We always had the extra mic for whoever we could convince to join us.  My husband passed through and many others. In time it grew to four extra mics.  That was our time to express ourselves and bare each others souls through music.  

Mark was the most dedicated band mate.  He faithfully came every week with his kit, unpacked and played until past the legal limit (we have awesome neighbors).  Eventually he just left the kit set up to maximize play time.   We loved the music.  Mark shirked the ‘band leader’ title and opted instead to chase the good vibes that came from the songs.  He always sought out those likeminded who just wanted to play.  And that’s just what we did just like kids on a summers day for we knew the next day came work. 

I thank God for a friend like Mark.  It was an an honor  knowing such a devoted husband/dad, community member and musician.  But I will always know him as my heartfelt drummer keeping the beat well into the night.  



My hart go out to the Slocum’s family 
Rest In Peace Mark 


RIP my classmate, class of 1981 from Maxton High School.  You always had a smile and was a friend to all.  Condolences and prayers for the family.  He was a true gentleman all through school.

Prayers and condolences to the family.  We participated in band together,  his love for music will never be forgotten. 

I only had the pleasure of meeting Mark once or twice as our common bond is Tia, who is like a daughter to me. Words seem so inadequate to express the heaviness in my heart but please know that all of you are lifted both in thought and in prayer. May you feel the loving embrace of our Father as you navigate the difficult times ahead. Much love! Pam and the Scaggs family

I had the honor of caring for Mark when he was in the ICU.  He quickly became my favorite patient to talk to. Within minutes of first meeting him, I knew he was special.  He had an energy, a vitality, a zest for life that was contagious.  

Each shift, I hoped not to see him in our unit, hoping that he had turned the corner and didn't need us anymore.  

He spoke so highly of his family.  My heart goes out to all of you who knew Mark outside of the hospital.  He made an impact on this nurse's heart, and I will not forget him. 

The void left in the wake of Mark's passing cannot be overstated. I have known few people quite like him. He seemed to have an incredible propensity for bringing people together who otherwise may have never connected. Almost every member of the Juniper Hills Band, past and present, was recruited directly by Mark. He always seemed to have a positive energy to share with those around him, and he always managed to lift my spirits, even at times when I didn't think they could be lifted. I am so grateful for the time I got to spend with him. The world need more people like Mark, not less. He will be missed.

I offer my sympathy and condolences to Mark's family, and to any others who were close to him. Thank you for the opportunity to share.

SO Completely devastated about everything that has happened over the past several months.  First we were forced to stop playing music together for fear of getting the ones we love sick.  Playing music is what brought us together and was a weekly joy for us for several years.  As if this was not bad enough, I have now lost a dear friend.  His enthusiasm was infectious and joy of life was ever present.  Playing drums was something he started late in life and he was a natural talent.  There are MANY songs that I will hear now that  bring a tear of sadness and joy to my eyes.  

I feel like it was tough for Becki to share Mark with the band 3 or more hours every week, but I am so thankful that she did.   My heart breaks for the pain I know she is going through.  

Standing here, staring off into a daze of the room we used to play.
Playing music and having fun, was the thing we had in common.
Now the time is gone, and the world has changed but it feels like yesterday.  So it’s hard to hear, and the sounds are not as clear and no one’s there.
But no,I'm never gonna say good-bye to my friend. there's just no way I'm ever gonna say good-bye. We will meet again.



There are no words that can adequately express how grateful I am to Sensei Mark and how devastated I am by his passing. He was an incredible role model, mentor, friend, and Sensei.  He taught me to believe in myself and showed me how to be strong.  For all nine years I trained under him he was incredibly supportive every step of the way. He was the guide I needed in life. Even after I left for college, he remained a supportive friend and was always happy to hear from me. He had such an amazing ability to be fully-present with kindness no matter who he was around. But more than anything, through training in the martial arts he showed me how to live.  I would be a completely different person were it not for Sensei Mark. I am so thankful and lucky to have met him. We had hoped to train together again. My heart breaks. Thank you for everything, Sensei. I promise I will do my best to make you proud. My thoughts are with all of you. Please reach out if you ever need anything. 

Mark was a great friend and an awesome human being.  He influenced and inspired so many people.  He will be greatly missed.  My thoughts and prayers are with you all in this most difficult of times.

Thank you for teaching me everything I needed to know In karate and teaching me when and not to use karate on people. Thanks for giving me the opportunity of doing karate, because I really needed that. Its always good to know how to fight, one of these days we are gonna need to know how to fight. Thanks for giving me rides home and taking me to eat with my brother. I can't put into words on how devastated I am right now, this dont seem right🥺 I'm really gonna miss you mark. I love you with all heart may you rest in peace. The legend of karate🥺❤🥰

OBITUARY

Mark Damon Slocum

March 15, 1963 – August 5, 2020

McEwen Funeral Service-Pineville Chapel

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