Tracy Joe McCabe

Friday, September 14, 2018 9:37 pm

Tracy Joe McCabe, 52, of Princeton, Minn., formerly of Burr Oak, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, at his home. A visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Mengis Funeral Home in Mabel. Private burial will be in the Burr Oak Cemetery.

Tracy was born Aug. 29, 1966, in Decorah, to Joey and Dawn (Wright) McCabe. He attended North Winneshiek High School, lettering in track and basketball, was inducted into the National Honor Society as a junior, and was elected class treasurer as a senior. He also received the Iowa State Bars American Citizenship Award his senior year and graduated with the class of 1985.

He attended Iowa State University, graduating in December 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial technology. While at ISU, he was an active member of the Air Force ROTC from 1985-1987, reaching the highest possible rank of Cadet Master Sergeant in his division of the Corps. Other positions held in the Corps were Flight Sergeant, First Sergeant and Arnold Air Society Comptroller. He represented the Corps on the Science and Humanities Council. He was also a member of the Color Guard, Arnold Air Society, and the prestigious Phantom Drill Team. He received a number of awards in the AFROTC such as the distinctive GMC award, the Athletic Excellence Award, the American Veterans Award and a letter of Commendation. His dream was to attend flight school and serve in the Air Force as a pilot, but due to health reasons, he was unable to s.