Ned Porter Graham

Ned Porter Graham died peacefully 24 November 2020 at his home in Colorado Springs. Ned was born on February 10, 1965 in Syracuse, New York of parents, Todd Porter Graham and Marlene (Sue) Ihrig Graham (deceased). Ned grew up in a military family starting at West Point, NY and later lived in Quantico MCB, Alexandria, VA, Tehran, Iran, Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Bragg, NC. He graduated from Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, MN (1983) where he also played hockey and tennis. After graduation, Ned traveled to Alaska to visit his brother, Bruce and never used his return ticket! His first job was learning the skills of log home building at Aurora Lagoon (Kachemak Bay), then worked at Hilltop ski area, commercial fished in Prince William Sound (Cordova) and oil spill (Exxon Valdez) cleanup. He did return to the “lower 48” in 1990 for a short period to work in San Francisco after the Loma Prieta Earthquake. After graduating from the University of Alaska-Anchorage, Ned became a teacher in the Anchorage school district for 15 years. He was involved with coaching youth hockey and guiding float trips in the Summer. His travels next took him to Abu Dhabi, UAE (4 yrs) and then Hanoi, Vietnam (2 yrs) where he taught English. During his teaching career, Ned made many friends and shared many achievements with his students. In October 2016, Ned returned to Colorado Springs where he worked at the Air Force Academy Golf Course and was reunited with his Dad. He made annual Fall trips to Alaska for fly-fishing on the Kenai and visiting with friends. Just prior to his annual trip, Ned was diagnosed with the Cancer that in less than two months would take his life. Ned was a great sports fan, loyal to his Buffalo Bills and Sabres (he chose Buffalo teams because they were the closest teams to his birthplace) and was a true Deadhead. He loved woodworking, fly-tying and fishing. Ned is survived by his daughter, Grace Joanna Graham, currently a sophomore at the University of Georgia in Athens, sister, Tracy Bannantine of Nashville, brother, Bruce of Anchorage and father, Todd of Colorado Springs. The family plans a celebration of life in 2021 in Alaska. Ned’s ashes will be scattered at Aurora Lagoon (outgoing tide) and his beloved Kenai River. Some may know that Ned struggled with alcohol for much of his adult life. We were unbelievably proud of him however when he finally beat the disease and returned from Vietnam and remained alcohol free for the remaining four years of his life. It can be done - Ned did it. These last four years were precious for us as a family, he died in peace with a full heart. Many of us on Earth are better people because we knew and loved Ned Porter Graham. “Fare you well, fare you well, I love you more than words can tell. Listen to the river sing sweet songs to rock my soul.” Brokedown Palace By the Grateful Dead