Odell Starling Sluder
May 29, 1934 ~ May 17, 2026
Born in:
Newland, NC
Resided in:
Avery's Creek, NC
Asheville Butterfly TrailArden- Odell Starling Sluder, 91, of the Avery’s Creek Community, passed away on Sunday, May 17, 2026 at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Flower Mound, TX. Born in Newland, NC, Odell was a son of the late Claude and Comeylee Calhoun Sluder.
Odell graduated from Cranberry High School in 1952 and from Warren Wilson College in 1954. He served in the United States Air Force (England and Germany) as a meteorologist. After his service, he was employed by the National Climatic Weather Records Center in Asheville. He then continued his career as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Spartanburg, SC, Roanoke, VA and the Asheville Regional Airport (1964-1990) where he retired after serving for 36 years. He was a long-time member of Arden Presbyterian Church and enjoyed gardening, hunting and fishing.
Odell is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Jean Nida Sluder; a daughter, Mona Sluder Preston (Steve) of Miami, FL; a son, Malcolm B. Sluder (Kelli) of Flower Mound, TX; three grandchildren, Charlotte Sluder, Caroline Zickefoose (Nic) and Connor Sluder (Taylor) as well as a great-granddaughter, Kennedy Jean, all of Flower Mound, TX.
A Funeral Service will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 in the chapel of the Western Carolina State Veteran’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian.
In lieu of flowers, Odell’s family graciously ask that you consider making a donation in his memory to Mercy Ministry of Arden Presbyterian Church (www.ardenpres.org).
Services
Funeral Service: May 27, 2026 12:00 pm
Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel
962 Old US Hwy 70
Black Mountain, NC 28711
(919) 664-1195
Visitation: May 26, 2026 5:00 pm
Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian
72 Long Shoals Road
Arden, NC 28704
(828)687-3530
http://grocefuneralhome.com
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With deepest sympathy and caring thoughts to you and your family.
Love, Land of Sky Regional Council staff and friends
Thank you for remembering my dad and mom.
Paula Warrick Stegall
So sorry to hear about Odell. We have missed him after his and Jean’s move to Texas. Prayers for Jean and family – May the wonderful, happy memories of Odell help in the grieving process and knowing that Odell is with our Lord and Savior.
Odell was a gentle man—life partner to Jean who I worked with at Land-of-Sky Regional Council for years, great family man, churchman and professional meteorologist. He will be missed as we remember his public service in the armed forces, to the WNC region, and to his church and community—a life well lived.
Thanks Odell, for privilege of knowing you. Love to Jean.
The world has lost another bright star, but Heaven has him now. Odell was a man who helped mold my heart into something better. His kindness, gentleness, generosity, and steadiness while talking with him or even learning from him always made even the worst days so much better. I am so blessed to have called him one of my greatest mentors and certainly my very good friend.
My heart reaches out to Jean, Malcolm, Mona, and the rest of the family. May God bless you all.
I’m so sorry to hear about Mr Sluder’s passing. I remember him very well. Peace to the family.
Odell has been one of my best friends for greater than 50 years. We worked together at the Asheville Airport. He worked for the National Weather Service, and I worked for the FAA. He served as not only a friend, but a mentor and Father like figure. We fished, hunted and worked a garden together as well as many other task throughout the years. He was knowledgeable in many ways and had a kind heart and caring nature.
I will most certainly miss him as I’m sure many others will also.
Malcom, Mona, and Jean, you are in our Prayers and thoughts . God Bless your family.
All of us from Piedmont Airlines and especially the participants of the famous Trout Trot in Cherokee are thinking of the Sluder family. Those trips are very special memories to all of us and they would not have been the same without Odell and Joe.
They weren’t just about fishing (although Odell almost always out fished all of us) it was a chance for all of us to catch up and tell stories. Those trips are truly some of my favorite memories. He was so proud of you kids! We will all miss him.
Andy Haynes.
The memories will live on. Everyday I think of him when I look up the weather. I know he is in heaven with the Lord, where there are clear skies and no clouds! Thank you for your kind words. Daughter Mona Sluder Preston
Jean
Thinking about you as we remember Odell. We have such fond memories of both of you. May our Lord and Heavenly Father bless you as you go through this difficult time. May you be reminded that the love of your life is now sitting
at the feet of Jesus celebrating Eternal Life. Our hearts are with you. Our
prayers are for you. May the Lord bless you and keep you throughout this
difficult time. Thinking of you. Praying for the Love of Jesus to surround
and comfort you. God bless you and keep you. With Love Mike and Karen