A widely "beloved" and exceptionally talented celebrity hairstylist in Southern California unexpectedly passed away last week at a relatively young age.

Graham Nation, who cut, colored, and styled the hair of dozens of stars in the Los Angeles area, died suddenly on Friday, Feb. 14, at the age of 39, according to Us Weekly.

His unanticipated and unexplained death, which occurred just six months after the birth of his infant son, prompted an outpouring of condolences and tributes from clients, colleagues, and fans, as well as an effort to financially support his grieving wife and their child.

Died at the gym

According to People magazine, the L.A. County Medical Examiner confirmed that Nation, whose real name is Graham Cheek, died on Feb. 14 while working out at an L.A. gym.

The cause of death has not yet been revealed, however, and an additional investigation is reportedly pending.

The outlet noted that Nation had ascended to become one of the top hairstylists in the L.A. area and boasted a stable of celebrity clients that included, among many others, Hollywood stars and premier athletes like Demi Moore, Jared Leto, and Venus Williams. Most recently, Nation had styled actress Catherine O'Hara's hair for her Super Bowl commercial that premiered earlier this month.

Nation's work has been featured in several fashion industry publications, and he'd also been a paid endorser and promoter of several top brands.

Tributes for the "beloved" hairstylist

The sad news of Nation's unexpected death was first shared with "heavy hearts" by the hairstylist industry publication Behind the Chair, which described Nation as "a beloved figure in the industry, whose remarkable talent and unwavering kindness touched the lives of many."

"Known for his exceptional skills and warm presence, Graham not only inspired those around him but also embodied the spirit of generosity and compassion," the outlet noted. "His legacy will forever resonate in the hearts of his family, friends, and colleagues, reminding us all of the profound impact one individual can make through kindness and artistry."

Behind the Chair's founder and creative director, Mary Rector, said of Nation, "Graham was one of the kindest, most gentle souls in this business! His talent was unmistakable, his ego was illegible, and his time with us unforgettable."

A statement was also released by the agency that represented Nation, The Wall Group, which said, "Graham was a one-of-a-kind soul who impacted every single person he met. We are honored to have been part of his journey and to have helped him share his artistry with the world. Our hearts are broken and we will miss him dearly."

Financial support for the mother and child

People magazine further reported that it was just over six months ago, on August 10, 2024, that Nation and his partner, Tonya Brewer, welcomed into the world a son they'd created together and named Romeo West.

Sadly, that child will now grow up without really knowing his father, but friends and fans of the beloved deceased stylist have stepped up to try and, if not ease the emotional pain, at least address the financial burden suddenly imposed on the grieving single mother.

A GoFundMe account was established in support of Tonya and Romeo and, after just a couple of days, had already raised roughly $182,000 toward a $200K goal.