A Year Later We Remember Erik Roner

A year ago today TGR and the action sport's community lost one of its beloved icons, Erik Roner. Roner was a star to all, friend to many, a father of two, and devoted husband. Whether it was a TGR film, Nitro Circus tour stop, or an episode of Locals, Roner inspired countless people. 

With any tragic death that ends a life too soon, it's difficult to process, especially a year later. In this way, the dead never truly leave and stay with us for the rest of our lives. At this time last year TGR co-founder Todd Jones shared the words that he spoke at Erik Roner's memorial. 

Now is a good time to revisit them. 

Words from Todd Jones

"Hey Roner,

What's up buddy. I'm in Tahoe. All your family and friends are here. It's a beautiful crowd and a beautiful day. As a matter of fact, if you were here I would say it is the best day ever.

We lost a great one.This boy was one of my best friends. We built our lives together. Roner was a young buck when we started hanging out. We traveled the world together. We shredded life. We raged. We grew up together. We became fathers. We made movies. We developed a hit television series together. I watched him fire. I watched him win. I watched him become a husband. I watched him become a father. I watched him succeed. We tore the roof off this planet. I always say, "you get one lap, make it count" Roner had one of the sickest laps ever.

He was always up for a mission, an adventure, or just simply checking something out. He never said no to his friends. He was a really really good friend to us. He made us laugh and smile. I always liked how much he appreciated life. He thrived when living in its most grandiose form, but more so I loved how he appreciated the simple parts of life. Ya we would all be all fired up after we pulled off one of the big crazy things, and he did a lot of those things. More than most. But it was his fire and stoke in the simple things that was most special.

I'm gonna miss just walking down the road or driving in a car and laughing and smiling with him. Man that smile. You all know it. His was the biggest smile and the most real one. He really loved the life he lived and never took that for granted. He was always so grateful for everything that came his way. Especially Anika and then Oskar, and the Kasper. Our hearts are gutted. The world is not as cool anymore. Nowhere near as cool.

Anika, Oskar and Kasper; We love you guys so much. Your family is huge and we will always try and be there for you guys through this unbelievable and tragic time. The world mourns. We all mourn.

When my brother delivered this horrible news I walked to the river and threw up. I literally was sick to my stomach. The lyrics, "nobody told me there would be days like these" ripped through my head. In the past days I went back through my emails to see what our last communications were. They were simple and routine, we were just doing our work together. There was no big epic interaction or thanks or anything. And I'm ok with that. You took care of that all the time. You hugged us all the time. You always shared your smile with us. You made everyday we were with you the best.

I will forever celebrate the times we had brother. I love you soooo much and miss you even more. I'm grateful to have had the pleasure to call myself your friend. You made us all better people. I will never stop missing seeing you. Love you forever. Thanks bud! I think I can speak for this entire crowd when I say, "man what a fucking lap we had."

In closing I wanted to read a verse from a song that I love and makes me think of you. It's from Johnny Cash's Highway Man:

I fly a starship across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
And I'll be back again, and again and again and again and again..

Thanks forever everything bud! Say hi to all the boys!"

Donate to the Erik Roner Memorial Fund.