GRAHAM, ERIC EMMETT (Age 23)

July 2, 2005. A journeyman steamfitter with Local #602. Beloved son of Richard and Doris Graham; brother of Sarah Graham Kline and Steven R. Graham; brother-in- law and friend of Dave Kline; "Uncle E" to Noah, Garrett and Elaina. Also survived by grandparents, William and Alice Day; aunts, Debra and Donna Day; many cousins, family and friends. Eric was a recent graduate of Montgomery College, 5 year Workforce Development Technical Program. His passion in life was his family, friends and skateboarding. He was actively involved with the Bowie City Council, for the development of a new Bowie Skate Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Eric E. Graham Skate Park Fund, c/o BB&T Bank, 16410 Heritage Blvd., Bowie, MD 20716.
Published in The Washington Post on 7/5/2005.

      
"Eric, like all the bowie boys, were my first introduction into an actual 'skate session' on the old bowie park. circa 2002.  In essence, they taught me how to session... and session hard." - Jeff Chaumpa      
         
                          

                       
"The session at chaumpas last night was epic. all of Eric's boys were skating hard and all of his non skating friends cheered them on. a big cheer went up for every landed air or lip trick. I never skated so long in my life. A friend made a quick video of him skating GSL. Going fast as hell and 50/50 grinding through both corners of the deep end. we burned a new CIA deck in his honor so he will have a freshy on the other side..." Spies
To say Eric Graham helped build the Chaumpa ramp would be an understatement.  Eric helped set the footers, the flat, and square the foundation.  He moved more wood back to the ramp than we can remember.  Eric grinded the grout line out of every piece of federal stone on the Chaumpa ramp.  He grinded all of the liquid nails off the sheet metal we got from some kid. The smell made everyone sick, but Eric proceeded to get it done in 2hrs.  Eric spent long hours after work and on weekends measuring, cutting boards, and screwing the ramp together.  He worked wee hours in the night in order to lay the coping and set up the platforms before the first Chaumpa ramp party.  The platforms were not finished before dawn and Eric came back early the next day to finish before the party started.
 
                    
                                                                 Eric owns the Chaumpa ramp
       

 
                                                                                       Skatopia & Eric
                            

       
                                              
                                                                                   Eric & Friends
                                    
 
                                
                  Here are a few things about Eric NagChaumpa would like to share:

1. Skateboarding was Eric's passion
2. He skated faster than anyone on the East Coast
3. He gave 110%
3. He always skated with a smile and brought positive energy to the session.  Eric was always smiling... we wont forget his chuckle either.
4. He was a major contributor to the building and construction of the Chaumpa ramp
5. He attended both Bowie skate park meetings in hopes for a great park. We hope to get the bowie park dedicated to him.  Memorial contributions may be made to Eric E. Graham Skate Park Fund, c/o BB&T Bank, 16410 Heritage Blvd., Bowie, MD 20716.
6. Eric's skateboarding, positive vibes, kindness, and happiness has greatly inspired us to skate harder and faster than ever before
                                        We continue to skate for Eric's sake and in Eric's name we pray                
                                             
                                                                                     Rest In Peace
More pictures of Eric can be found in the following NagChaumpa archives:
1. Aug 15, 2003 - Chaumpa Ramp Party I
2. Oct 11, 2003 -  Skatopia Backyard Blowout 9
3. June 3rd 2004 - Skatopia Bowl Bash IX (Lula Bowl Party)

 Here is the first video made of the initial Chaumpa ramp party. Eric is grinding the coping on the opening scene and then lets out a great beer burp to start it off. Might I add that after 4 grueling days of work, Eric was the only one that showed up the day of the party to finish the decks... it was 95 degrees that day with MD humidity.