Father of Four Dies Unexpectedly During Business Trip in China

PHOTO of Nathan Graham, 37 surrounded by his four sons. Graham died unexpectedly during a business trip to China. Graham served as a volunteer bishop at an Arlington Mormon church.

ARLINGTON, VA — Friends are rallying around the family of Nathan Graham, 37, who died unexpectedly from an infection during a business trip to China. Graham was a volunteer bishop at an Arlington Mormon church.

Nathan Graham, 37, was the husband of Melanie Mickelsen Graham and father to four sons Rowan (6), James (4), Lincoln (1) and Griffin (2 months), according to an online fundraiser on YouCaring for the family.

Sen. Orrin Hatch took to the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday (watch a video below) to pay tribute to Graham who he called “a celebrated member of a tight-knit group of Utahns living in the DC area.”

Born in Layton, Utah, Graham graduated from Northridge High School and studied political science at Weber State in Utah and earned a master’s from George Washington University. Hatch said Graham served as a well-respected staffer and advisor in the U.S. Senate office of former Sen. Robert Bennett.

Graham was working for Procter & Gamble as a senior manager, Global Government Relations and Public Policy at the time of his death.

Friends have raised more than $100,000 for his family on the online fundraiser. Graham’s widow posted a message to supporters on Tuesday:

My kind friends, thank you so much for your help in all forms. Our oldest son asked why the hospital machines couldn’t bring Daddy back and after reassurances that Daddy wouldn’t be cremated, he asked about how we’d have insurance and money to live on. When I told him the amount people had shared with us, he was in awe--”that’s a lot of legos!” Thank you for giving me something to use to start healing his little heart since I can’t make Nate return to us.

My tears have been both for my fatherless boys, the empty place in my bed, the bike in the garage that won’t be used again, the pictures and videos we have ofNathan Graham that will always seem too few, and also for the relief I feel at the generosity of time and money and effort by our friends and family. Thank you for easing my grief.”