Franklin "Chaskae" McCabe III

Franklin Jeffery McCabe III began his heavenly journey on Thursday, December 29, 2022. Franklin, or otherwise known to his family and friends as “Chaskae” was an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes (CRIT, Navajo) in Parker, Arizona. He was of Navajo, Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes, Kiowa, and Cherokee descent.

Chaskae was born September 25, 1974, in Provo, Utah the eldest son of Franklin McCabe Jr. and Theodora Ricker McCabe of Parker, Arizona. On his paternal side, he is the grandson to the late Franklin McCabe Sr. and Alice Curley McCabe, both Navajo of Parker, Arizona. On his maternal side, he is the grandson to the late Theodore Ricker Jr., Assiniboine & Sioux Tribes from Poplar, Montana and Emma Jean Lewis Jones Saumty, Kiowa and Cherokee from Gotebo, Oklahoma. Chaskae is the brother to Sheila McCabe, Cherie McCabe Murray (m. David Murray), Penni McCabe, Nataani McCabe, and Forrest McCabe. He is the uncle to Adarius Begay, Landis Begay, Nikki McCabe, Theda McCabe, Tzenni-Bah Bauer, Chaskae McCabe, Tianni Murray, Jacob McCabe, Kal-El McCabe, and Ayden McCabe.

Chaskae was raised in Parker, Arizona on the Colorado River Indian Reservation, and graduated 8th grade from Le Pera Elementary School. As a Le Pera “Rebel”, he was the Arizona Spelling Bee Champion. Chaskae graduated from Parker High School in June 1992 and excelled in academics, extracurricular activities, and community service. He was President of Student Council and President of the High School band who mastered all the percussion instruments. He was a Parker “Broncs” Varsity athlete in cross-country, track & field, and basketball. Chaskae was the youngest recipient (age 16) to receive the prestigious “Hon Kachina Volunteer Award” which recognizes the achievement of outstanding Arizona volunteers and their work in improving the lives of others. As a teenager, he represented the United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY) program which promotes leadership among Native American youth. He was selected to represent Arizona as a flag-bearer at the national Washington D.C. Flag Day celebration. As a Senior in High School, he was honored with the “Who’s Who Award”, a nationally recognized award for strong academics and leadership skills.

After High School, Chaskae began his undergraduate studies in September 1992 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. He was a leader in the Stanford American Indian Organization (SAIO), Stanford American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), Stanford Powwow committees, and taught classes at the Native American theme house Muwekma-Tah-Ruk. During his return to Stanford in 2021-2022, Chaskae completed a class interview project featuring participants and staff who were in the 1992 American Indian Summer Immersion Program (AISIP). His AISIP 1992 interview project was selected to be archived in the Stanford University’s History vaults. Chaskae’s energy and spirit had a big impact on so many during his time at Stanford. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Stanford University in June 2022 and was admitted to Arizona State University’s Psychology Master of Science program for the 2023 spring term.

Chaskae took a break during his undergraduate years and returned home to work for various enterprises in Parker and with CRIT, including his role as CRIT Recreation Director and CRIT Tribal Employment Rights Officer. As a CRIT Recreation Director, he created a Sports Camp which featured multi-sport activities where youth would earn their chance to go on a bus and road trip to California beaches, “swim with the sharks”, go to Disneyland, or hike and camp in the Havasupai Canyon in Arizona. Chaskae also worked as the Western Arizona Area Health Education Center Program Assistant and Co-Chair of the La Paz County Coalition to End Homelessness. After his Stanford graduation, he was promoted to Case Manager at the Parker Walk-In Clinic Behavioral Health Services for La Paz County.

Chaskae was well known throughout “Indian Country” as a Disc Jockey (DJ) and loved to entertain. He would travel with his family to set up music and lights to DJ a dance or cultural gathering. There never was a dull moment with Chaskae. He always had a video recorder to capture moments in time. He loved to tell stories or play practical jokes to make people laugh. He was an avid swimmer at the Poston “Check”, led “Goat Man” adventure tours, invented games like the 10,000 point rummy card tournament, he was a trivia expert, also a self-proclaimed Karaoke singer with favorite song “Under the Bridge” at his favorite spot Agnes Wilson. He rode motorcycles and broke his leg yet was tough and grew stronger to chase wild horses with his Dad. He was a Cowboy who caught and tamed his own wild horse and named the horse “Ebony”. Chaskae was a leader of the “Lower 40” 4-H club and raised livestock, steers, swine, and sheep. Chaskae loved and treated his nephews and nieces like they were his own children and always encouraged them. He believed “Education was the ladder to success and happiness” and worked selflessly to help others and his community.

His sense of humor remained even during his final days. In true Chaskae fashion, he planned his “Celebration of Life” party, which was held Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, at his Dad’s home in Parker. Chaskae surprised everyone by showing up in person so he could listen to all the stories and share memories. He planned everything to what foods he wanted to what songs to play. Chaskae was surrounded by family and passed peacefully Thursday, December 29, 2022.

Chaskae - You will always be remembered with much love and respect; you will be missed dearly. We are comforted, knowing you are watching over us always believing in us and encouraging us to achieve our goals. Our prayers are with you for a sacred journey to your Heavenly home. “Go My Son, Climb that Ladder”.

Chaskae’s family would like to acknowledge and express a special thank you to the CRIT Tribal Leadership, CRIT Fire Department, Parker Indian Health Service staff, and all the family and friends who have provided their support during this time of need.

A funeral service for Chaskae will be held Saturday, January 7, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Parker, AZ. Following the funeral service will be a burial at 4:00 PM at Town of Parker Cemetery, Parker, AZ.