Eric Michael Graham

Eric Michael Graham, of Long Beach, California, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, October 18th, 2025. He was 47 years old.

Born to Karen Graham and the late Bruce Graham on February 6th, 1978, Eric was a 1996 graduate of Millikan High School. His academic journey continued to Long Beach City College, followed by Cal State, Long Beach, where he earned a bachelor’s degree from the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music. Eric was awarded a master’s degree in Cal State, Fullerton in 2017.

Eric’s passion for music and education was unparalleled. He left an indelible mark on the youth of Southern California through teaching. For over two decades he introduced the arts to students, cultivated talent, and ultimately was a champion for expression through music. He touched the lives of thousands, and his passion still burns with those students today.

At Eric’s side, every step of the way, was his wife, Shannon Graham. Like Eric, Shannon is an educator of the highest caliber. Driven, she shares Eric’s commitment to being a positive force for the youth in their community. A perfect match, they were wed on July 1st, 2006.

For all his accomplishments, the title Eric was most proud of was father. Shannon and Eric welcomed Harper Jean on Christmas Day in 2015. Harper is an extraordinary young lady. Smart, funny, kind, embodying all the attributes that made Eric such an easy person to love.

Eric’s story cannot be told without including the Los Angeles Dodgers. He loved baseball. Attending live, watching, listening, learning. Eric inherited that loyalty from his father, and passed it along to Harper, who you can often find in Dodger blue.

People like Eric don’t come around often. He was special. He was loved. He’ll be missed.

If you would like to contribute to the costs associated with Eric’s ceremony and the memorial tree that his ashes will be placed with in Lake Arrowhead, or to assist Shannon and Harper as they begin a new chapter in their lives, you can do so here. The family has asked to help in this way in lieu of flowers.

If you have any photos you would like to share for the photo montage that will be viewed at the memorial, please share them in this shared google folder: graham-archives · Shared album or email privately to family.graham.archives@gmail.com.

Eric's memorial service will also be available via live stream at 

https://www.youtube.com/live/hr7ZSf2LODA