Franklin Thomas "Frank" Poocha

CASA GRANDE- Franklin Thomas "Frank" Poocha, 51, died on Sept. 4, 2015, at Banner Casa Grande Medical Center.

Mr. Poocha was born on May 10, 1964, in Tuba City, one of four sons of Fritz Poocha of Polacca and Idella Poocha of Blackwater. His life demonstrated his many talents and the Hopi and Pima cultures that he came from.

He participated in several clubs and bands and was an athlete at Tuba City High School, where he graduated in 1982.

He later pursued degrees in music education at Scottsdale Community College and Arizona State University. In 2003 he graduated from Apollo College with an Associate of Applied Science degree in network and database administration. He later pursued a bachelor’s degree in information systems security from ITT Technical Institute.

He worked in several IT positions in Phoenix and the Gila River Indian Community.

His most profound talent was in music, and he was a veteran musician and vocalist of many years, described as a "Musical Swiss Army Knife" due to his skill in playing many instruments.

He performed locally and in almost every state as well as Australia, England, Germany and Italy.

When he performed with Joy Harjo and Poetic Justice, they received the first Americans in the Arts Award in 1996. He made three albums with Clan/Destine. He performed with reggae bands and did cultural presentations on his Hopi and Pima culture as well as powwow singing. He most recently created the band Dawa with his cousin Chuck Harris.

He also enjoyed fishing, camping, hunting, teaching and making craft art, and he was a proud dad.

Survivors include his wife, Delight Dalton-Poocha; two daughters, Miranda and Mariah Poocha; his mother; and two brothers, Byron and Jason Poocha. He was preceded in death by his father and a brother, Kevin Poocha.

He received a traditional Hopi burial, according to his wishes, on Sept. 9 in Polacca. A memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 18 at the Salt River Community Building, 1880 N. Longmore Road in Scottsdale.

J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel was in charge of arrangements.