It was very sad to hear the news of Aaron passing last week. Aaron was a great surveyor who continually gave back to our profession. He was on the Oregon Tech advisory committee and an Alumni. He was gracious enough to put his time and efforts into presenting workshops and classes for our PLSO annual conference as well. His obit is below.
Aaron Graham
- Dec. 24, 1972 - March 1, 2017
Aaron was born Dec. 24, 1972, in Klamath Falls, Ore., to parents Dennis and Mary Graham. He passed away March 1, 2017, after a courageous battle with cancer.
As an infant he moved with his family to Coquille, where he grew up and attended school, graduating with Coquille High School Class of 1991. He enjoyed his small-town upbringing, participating in 4-H, Cub Scouts, football, band, and his after-school job at Les Schwab Tires. He continued with scouting, achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Many teachers, coaches and leaders helped shape him into the young man he became.
Aaron returned to Klamath Falls to attend OIT. As a freshman he was selected for the Bureau of Land Management cadastral survey co-op program, which provided summer employment in Wyoming. After earning his degree in land surveying in 1995, he began his career with BLM's Medford district.
While at OIT he met Nikole Hofer, and they were married in 1996. After four years in Medford, he transferred to the Coos Bay district. Aaron and Nikole established their home in Coquille and later welcomed daughter Allison and son Tyler.
At the time of his death, Aaron was employed as branch chief of cadastral survey with the BLM Oregon state office. He was an active member of Professional Land Surveyors of Oregon and the OIT Alumni Association.
He gave back to scouting, having served as Cub master for Pack 314, Coquille and a leader for Troop 9, Coos Bay.
Family time was important to Aaron, and they especially enjoyed camping and beach walks with the dogs. He always looked forward to the annual fall elk hunt with his dad and close friends.
In addition to his parents, wife, and children, surviving family includes sister, Ann Marie Joos of Redmond, and her family; parents-in-law, Leslie and Karen Hofer of Coquille; and brother-in-law, Tim Hofer of Salem, and his family.
Aaron was preceded in death by his grandmother, Winifred Van Doren.
There will be a gathering of remembrance for Aaron at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 15, at the North Bend Community Center.
The family suggests in lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be sent to South Coast Hospice, 1620 Thompson Road, Coos Bay, OR 97420.
Wow, very sorry to hear this. He was only a few years older than me. Really its home.
Aaron and I were in many of the same classes at OIT. Also went fishing or shooting on weekends or between classes many times. I learned of Aaron's passing last week from another friend who graduated in the same class, Wayne Toutges.
Aaron was 9 years my junior, and the news was quite a shock. We all have friends that we haven't seen in several years, but always intend to catch up with "one of these days". Aaron was one such friend and his passing is a stark reminder that days all too often run out before you get to "one of these days."
Thank you for getting the word out. Tragic loss.