Mark Hansen Porter

CHARLOTTE– Mark Hansen Porter, 61, of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully at home on September 13, 2020 following a 5-month battle with Glioblastoma. He was surrounded by his loving wife and children as he passed.

Mark was born June 2, 1959, in Seaford, Delaware to his late father, William Donnie “Don” Porter, and mother, Mary Elizabeth Martin Porter. A longtime Charlotte resident, Mark was a 1977 graduate of North Buncombe High School in Weaverville, NC, where he was valedictorian of his class.

An alumnus of North Carolina State University, he parlayed his formidable math skills into a career as a savvy and valued process improvement manager. He worked at Fiberon from 2009-2020.

Mark was the very definition of a family-man, and leaves behind an impressive legacy on the importance of taking care of loved ones. Family and friends loved Mark’s witty sense of humor and captivating story-telling ability.

Mark was a passionate sports fan. He was a lifelong fan of the NC State Wolfpack and Carolina Panthers. He developed a knack for managing championship caliber fantasy football teams, as family members and co-workers can attest. He will be sorely missed after serving as league commissioner for many seasons.

In addition to his mother, Mark is survived by his loving wife of 38 years, Julie Downing Porter; daughters, Stephanie Porter and Anna Porter Crowell (Andrew); son, Ryan Porter; two beloved grandchildren, Aubrey and Logan Crowell, all of Charlotte, NC; brother, Bill Porter (Anya Breitenbach), of Charleston, SC; father in-law and mother in-law who loved him as their own son, Richard and Barbara Downing, of Charlotte, NC; and multiple other close family members of his extended family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00pm Friday, September 18th, 2020 at University City United Methodist Church (3835 W W.T. Harris Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28269) with viewing for friends and family one hour prior.

An Asheville viewing for family and friends will be held at West Funeral Home (17 Merrimon Ave, Weaverville, NC 28787) on Saturday, September 19th, 2020 from 10:00am-1:00pm.

Graveside Service will be held at 2:00pm Saturday, September 19th, 2020 in Asheville at Ashelawn Garden of Memory (901 Aiken Rd, Asheville, NC 28804).

The family asks that all attending keep the health and safety of others in consideration while attending services during Covid-19. In addition to precautions in place, please wear a face covering so that all can safely celebrate Mark’s life. For those unable to attend either celebration, a live stream of the Friday service can be viewed here.

In hopes of finding a cure for the devastating disease that took Mark far too soon, memorials can be made to The Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center (Tisch Brain Tumor Center, DUMC Box 3624, Durham, NC 27710). Please indicate “In Memory of Mark Porter” so that your contribution will go towards Glioblastoma research efforts.

The family is being served by James Funeral Home of Huntersville, NC and West Family Funeral Home of Weaverville, NC.

For those who desire, condolences may be offered to the family under Mr. Porter’s obituary at www.WestFamilyFuneralServices.com.