Franklin Montgomery Mccracken Iii

Franklin Montgomery McCracken III, 70, of Springfield, Colorado passed away at his home on July 5, 2024.

Frank was born on September 19, 1953 in Akron, Colorado to Frank and Elsie (Fredericksen) McCracken.  He was the seventh of 11 children.  He grew up on the family farm in the Lindon area and attended Woodlin Schools until his freshman year when the family moved to Akron.  He graduated from Akron High School with the Class of 1971.

After graduating high school Frank married Gayle Krause on May 28, 1971.  In October of 1971, Frank and Gayle welcomed their first son, Lance, to the world.  Frank had a full plate at this time as he was starting a new family, working, and with his three brothers, Jay, Joe and Jim, bought their grandparents farm southwest of Lindon.  McCracken Brothers was formed in 1973.  During this time Frank also worked for Bill Duncan at Duncan Oil for a time and then went to work for his father-in-law, Bill Krause and Krause Construction.  It was here where Frank developed a love and skills for the construction industry.

In October of 1974, Frank and Gayle welcomed their second son, Franklin IV (J.R.).  Frank and Gayle continued to stay busy as they also built their first home in 1974.  Frank worked construction and farmed until 1977 when he moved his family to Alamosa to attend Adams State.  He went to school year-round and in 1979 received his Bachelor’s Degree.  After graduating, he moved the family back to Akron where he was hired by the Akron School District to teach Building Trades.  He loved teaching the kids a skill they could always use.  He was also an assistant football coach and coached under Dwight Easter, Ken Stiles, and Carl Rice.

Around 1984 Frank quit teaching and coaching to purchase the Akron-Otis Lumber Yard.  He loved having his own business and it still allowed him to build and farm.  In the early 90’s he also owned and operated McCracken’s Tavern on Main Steet in Akron. He sold the lumber yard in 1996 and went back to construction.  During the 80’s and early 90’s Frank was active in the Akron community.  He was a member of the Akron Volunteer Fire Department and would become Fire Chief some years later.  Frank was a member of the Akron Town Board and would eventually serve as the Town Mayor.  In 1997, Frank would be hired as a Construction Superintendent to build the new Akron football field and track.  He worked closely with several local contractors and community members to build one of the finest facilities in Colorado.

Frank was always looking for new challenges, so in early 2000 he moved to southern California to help his long-time friend, Steve Burns, build a horse ranch.  He worked for several years at the Burns Ranch but also worked for other contractors in the area.  One of the jobs he told stories about was when he helped remodel Bill Murray’s house.

After his time in California, Frank moved back to Colorado and went to work for Terry Swanson and Swanson Farms in the Springfield/Walsh area.  He enjoyed the slower pace of town after being in California.  He worked several years for Swanson's when he took his last full-time job for a farmer and rancher in the Boulder area.  This also allowed him to be closer to his family.

In 2019, Frank retired and moved back to Springfield.  He spent his remaining years tinkering around the area doing little odd jobs and always mowing and spraying his yard.

Frank loved all sports and music and loved hanging out with friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Elsie McCracken; three brothers, Jerry McCracken, Jay McCracken and Joe McCracken; two nieces, Michele Mari, Stacia McCracken, and one nephew, Josh Reid.

He is survived by his two sons and their families, Lance, Rhonda, Nolan and Cailyn McCracken of Windsor and Frank (J.R.), Vanessa, Kaila, Kaden and Tyler of Broomfield.  He is also survived by his siblings, six sisters and one brother, Jan (Bill) Dorrenbacher of Akron, Jim (Jan) McCracken of Akron, Joyce (Lenard) Mari, of Indian Land, South Carolina, Jean (Rick) Glosson of Akron, Julie (Rocky) Kraich of Akron, Jacquie (Tom) Reid of Akron, Justina (Dennis) Anderson of Arvada and one sister-in-law, Eileen (Jay) McCracken of Sterling.  In addition, he is also survived by 20 nephews and nieces.  He will be missed by all of his family and many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 11am at the Akron Foursquare Church.

Memorials in his memory may be made to the Akron High School c/o Building Trades, 600 Elm Ave. Akron, CO 80720.